Phil Hicks is a local bourbon aficionado and long-time patron of the Bull Run. He was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH, just a stone’s throw from the rolling hills of Kentucky, the heart and soul of Bourbon Country.

First exposed to the venerable spirit at a young age (courtesy of his grandmother’s Christmas eggnog), he has been a fan ever since. Phil has read a great deal about bourbon and obtained formal training on distilled spirits through Boston University’s Gastronomy Program. He enjoys talking about bourbon almost as much as drinking it.

This tasting event promises to be lively and informative. We will sample five different bourbons followed by a spirit-inspired, 3 course meal from Chef Isaac.See menu HERE

Don White stays right at home to mine comic gold. Coming from the world of stand-up, he is a funny man whose concerts can turn what happens in his home into an onstage biopic! His funny and often touching songs like "How to Get Your Kids to Leave Home", "Be 16 With Me", and "Rascal" go straight to his audience's heart.

Together, Christine Lavin and Don White are a funny, funny 2-fer of comedy and song.

As founding member and bass player of Kansas City blues-rock band Trampled Under Foot, winner of the 2014 Blues Music Award for Instrumentalist - Bassist and nominee for "female artist" in the 2014 Blues Blast Music Awards, Danielle Schnebelen has spent years growing her fan base around the world. In 2014 she decided to push her musical boundaries further by forming the Danielle Nicole Band, which also features Mike “Shinetop” Sedovic, Jan Faircloth and Brandon Miller.

A natural-born performer, Danielle got her start singing in coffeehouses and open mics in the local Kansas City blues scene. Her talent and on stage charisma played a major role in the success of Trampled Under Foot and helped the band earn numerous awards and nominations over the years, including multiple Blues Music Award nominations for “Band of the Year” and a two nominations recognizing her individual accomplishments as a musician for “Bass Player of the Year." Drawing comparisons to Susan Tedeschi and Etta James, Danielle delivers a sweeping vocal range and powerful telling of her lyrics every time she hits the stage.

Mike “Shinetop, jr.” Sedovic was discovered by The Blues Notions, one of Kansas City’s longest running blues bands, and spent the next eight years honing his skills alongside some of the best and most knowledgeable bluesmen on the scene before teaming up with the Danielle Nicole Band.Jan Faircloth spent eleven years with the popular blues rock outfit Levee Town, making five records and touring widely around the US and Canada.Brandon Miller released two full-length albums and shared the stage with Jonny Lang, Foghat, Night Ranger and Eddie Money, before forming the Brandon Miller Band, a powerful, guitar-driven blues-rock trio. Now Brandon brings that rock n roll edge to the Danielle Nicole Band.

Improv 3 perform quick witted, fast paced improvisational skits, games and songs. Every show is unique, using audience suggestions and participation. They create new characters, employ hysterical games, and share their high energy in every skit they do. They make up everything as they go, so no show is ever the same. Come be part of the show or sit back and watch the fun! All performances are family friendly.

Performing together since 2008, Marisa Olson, Jessica Cernak, Lauren Malsick, Rachel Olson, Emily Olson and Chloe Malsick began as a competitive team, but loved improv so much they took their show on the road. You will love it too. And when you do, tell all your friends; if you hate them, tell your enemies!

Jimmie Vaughan is far more than one of the greatest and most respected guitarists in the world of popular music. As Guitar Player Magazine notes, “He is a virtual deity–a living legend.” His musical ethos and personal style have had an impact on contemporary culture, from spearheading the current blues revival with The Fabulous Thunderbirds to his longtime, innate fashion sense of slicked-back hair and sharp vintage threads, to becoming a premier designer of classic custom cars. But for Jimmie, none of that is part of a crusade or a career plan. It’s just his natural way of living life. At age 15, Vaughan was playing the rough and tumble Dallas nightclub scene nightly. By 16 he joined The Chessman, who became the area’s top musical attraction, eventually opening concerts in Dallas for Jimi Hendrix. He was developing his style; clean, economical and highly articulate; concentrating on rhythmic accents and lead work that relied on his "less is more" approach. In 1969, he helped found "Texas Storm," a group that dug into blues and soul with a Texas accent. The band migrated to Austin, and it was there that Jimmie helped jump start his brother Stevie Ray’s career when the younger Vaughan joined Texas Storm on bass. Determined to create an ideal vehicle for blues that was both modern in impact and appeal yet true to the tradition, Vaughan founded The Fabulous Thunderbirds with Kim Wilson in the mid 1970s. When Antone’s nightclub opened in Austin in 1975, the Thunderbirds became the house band, jamming with such blues greats as Waters, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Albert King and a host of others, all of whom recognized Vaughan as the man who would keep the music they developed alive.Vaughan recorded eight albums with The Thuderbirds and, on the strength of hits like “Tuff Enuff,” earned two Grammy nominations and years of worldwide touring. They brought blues back into the pop charts and the contemporary musical lexicon, sparking a revival that continues today. Prior to leaving the group in 1990, Jimmie had joined up with brother Stevie to record "Family Style," an album that reflected their mutually deep musical roots and modern artistic sophistication. But in August, 1990, just a few weeks prior to the album’s release, Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a helicopter crash in Wisconsin. Jimmie was devastated and retreated from touring and recording, though he continued to play guitar every day. The the success of "Family Style" further enhanced Jimmie’s reputation as a distinctive musical stylist, whose rich-toned exuberance has earned him the respect of many of the greats of contemporary music. He began showing up on albums like B.B. King and Eric Clapton’s "Riding With The King," Bob Dylan’s "Under The Red Sky," Willie Nelson’s "Milk Cow Blues," Carlos Santana’s "Havana Moon" and Don Henley’s "Inside Job."Buddy Guy once said: “He’s unbeatable when it comes to the blues. He just plays it like it’s supposed to be played.” And Stevie Ray, when people would compare his playing to that of his brother, would say there was really no contest. “I play probably 80 percent of what I can play. Jimmie plays one percent of what he knows. He can play anything.” And yet Jimmie Vaughan remains modest when it comes to his life and work. “I’m just trying to have fun like everyone else,” he concludes. “I’ve been playing since I was 13. I play every day. I’ve never stopped. I can’t imagine that I could exist without it.”

In this crazy world of music and performing, Modern Man are a delightful change of pace. A cross between Crosby, Stills & Nash and the Marx Brothers, David Buskin, Rob Carlson and George Wurzbach are three celebrated singers and songwriters, "terrific instrumentalists with gorgeous voices and hilarious wits." Together they quickly redefine something-or-other and delight audiences as they interweave themes ranging from God to Godzilla, from manliness to cluelessness, from ESPN to the FBI with a vocal blend that has not been heard since Ella and F. Scott Fitzgerald went their separate ways. As Showbusiness Weekly put it: "Buskin, Carlson and Wurzbach should be arrested for being so funny." Or as Back Stage put it: "...these guys are the Thomas Alva Edisons of humor. They're inventive. You know, the bulb goes on."

Folk fans will no doubt remember David Buskin from "Buskin and Batteau," (he was Buskin) and from his songs recorded by Judy Collins, Johnny Mathis, Roberta Flack, Peter Paul & Mary, Tom Rush, Pat Benatar and Sadao Watanabe.Rob Carlson is a writer, producer, comedian and regular contributor to "The American Comedy Network." He also runs "The Producers," his own Creative Services studio in Fairfield, CT.Brooklyn's own George Wurzbach is an award winning composer, performer and producer. His songs and arrangements have been performed by Johnny Cash, Kathy Mattea, Roy Clark and many others. He is the author of "Country Riffs for Piano," published by Hal Leonard.

Modern Man won Back Stage Magazine’s “Bistro Award” in 2002 for Best Musical Comedy and the 2008 New York Nightlife Award for Best Comedy group in New York. They perform in clubs, cabarets, coffee houses, concert halls and festivals from Maine to Florida plus Tennessee, Texas, Ohio and Canada.

"For a night of great songs, heavenly harmonies, polished musicianship and pure unabashed entertainment, you really want to see this show." - GT

In late 1972 Edgar Winter brought together Dan Hartman, Ronnie Montrose and Chuck Ruff to form The Edgar Winter Group, the legendary band that created the number one "Frankenstein" and the ever popular "Free Ride."Frankenstein revolutionized rock and roll and opened up a whole new world of possibilities with experimentation and sound. In 1973 he released "They Only Come Out at Night" which peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 200 and stayed on the charts for an impressive 80 weeks. It was certified gold in April 1973 and double platinum in November 1986.

Edgar later released "Shock Treatment," featuring guitarist Rick Derringer in place of Ronnie Montrose. Later albums included "Jasmine Nightdreams," "The Edgar Winter Group with Rick Derringer," a live album, "Together Live With Johnny Winter," "Recycled," a reunion with White Trash, "Standing On Rock," "Mission Earth," "Live In Japan," "Not A Kid Anymore," "The Real Deal," and "Winter Blues." His music can be heard in no fewer than fifteen film and television projects, including Netherworld, Air America, My Cousin Vinny, Encino Man, Son In Law, What's Love Got to do With It, Wayne's World 2, Starkid, Wag the Dog, Knockabout Guys, Duets, Radio, The Simpsons, Queer as Folk, and Tupac Resurrection.

But even right out of the gate Edgar was a child prodigy. His early recording of "Tobacco Road" is a powerful, emotionally devastating masterpiece that propelled him into the national spotlight. He followed that with two hit albums backed by his group White Trash, and the 1971 release of, "Edgar Winter's White Trash" and the follow-up live gold album, "Roadwork."

With now over 20 albums and numerous collaborative efforts to his credit, Edgar Winter has not been satisfied to ride the wave of popular music stardom. His live shows consistently receive rave reviews and his live performances continue to thrill audiences, always remaining on the cutting edge of music and style.

Martha Dawson looks upon readings as a tool of self-empowerment. During a session you may meet one of your spirit guides, gain insight into any aspect of your life, understand the opportunities to learn that are set before you, and receive guidance on how to live this adventure called life. Readings are a way to experience the unconditional love of Divine Source and to become aware that we do not walk this journey alone.Ticket includes $20 credit toward meal or drinks.

Ronnie Earl's got it. Whatever it is that makes The Blues dig down into your soul and stir it up. Whatever it is that can hold your attention with six strings and 22 frets and never sound stale or mediocre. Whatever it is that makes you smile in the midst of a very dangerous and heartless world. Whatever it is, he's got it down. Maybe it was his years with Roomful of Blues. Or maybe it was the years touring with his own bands throughout the world that makes him equally conversant with the styles of Robert Jr. Lockwood, T-Bone Walker, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Or maybe it's something that you don't get on the road or alone in a room practicing scales. Maybe it's something you find inside yourself and learn to express on guitar, piano, easel, trowel or skillsaw. Maybe he's one of us and we can feel it when he plays, letting us know that, like us, he's been up, down and everywhere in between. Or maybe he's just one of the finest living Blues guitarists on the planet. If you love the Blues and you haven't been to a Ronnie Earl show, do yourself a favor. Ronnie's new Album, "Good News," is "another exquisite outing" according to Steve Morse of the Boston Globe. Read the full review HERE

OPEN: The L & M RHYTHM KINGS - The L&MRhythmKings perform a blend of rhythm, roots, and blues, featuring full-blooded grooves from the heart and soul of America. The band features a mix of original music and modern interpretations of funk & roots artists like James Brown, the Neville Brothers, and others.

Chef Isaac Carter will prepare a private dinner presentation, paired with local beers from People's Pint Brewery on Wednesday March 25, 2015. Each participant will enjoy an "amuse bouche" and three paired courses, all sourced locally and prepared fresh.

You'll enjoy meeting the team from People's Pint Brewing Co. based in Greenfield, MA. You'll learn all the ins & outs of local craft beer, while enjoying a great meal, lots of beer & new friends. Be ready for a local culinary adventure!

Join psychic, Martha Dawson, for a delicious meal at the Bull Run and discover the psychic within you.

There will be a discussion about how everyone has the ability to communicate with their Higher Self, their guides and Divine Source followed by an opportunity to meet one of your spirit guides and receive a short message.

Livingston Taylor picked up his first guitar at the age of thirteen, beginning a forty-year career that has encompassed performance, songwriting and teaching. Born in Boston and raised in North Carolina, Livingston is the fourth child in a very musical family that includes Alex, James, Kate and Hugh. Livingston recorded his first record at 18 and has continued to create well-crafted, introspective and original songs that have earned him listeners worldwide. From top-forty hits “I Will Be in Love with You” and “I’ll Come Running,” to “I Can Dream of You” and “Boatman” both recorded by his brother James, Livingston’s creative output has continued unabated. His musical knowledge has inspired a varied repertoire, and he is equally at home with a range of musical genres—folk, pop, gospel, jazz—and from upbeat storytelling to touching ballads. Livingston has never stopped performing since those early coffeehouse days, touring with major artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffet and Jethro Tull, and he maintains a busy concert schedule of over eighty shows a year. He is a natural performer, peppering his shows with personal stories, anecdotes and ineffable warmth that connect him to his fans. His relaxed on-stage presence belies the depth of his musical knowledge, and fans might just as often be treated to a classic Gershwin or something from the best of Broadway. As a full professor at Berklee College of Music since 1989, Livingston shares his experiences and knowledge of professional touring with young artists, just beginning to hone their skills. His course, Stage Performance (I and II) is one of the most popular at the College, and it gives him the ideal forum in which to impart the lessons learned through his own career to a new generation of musicians. His book, Stage Performance, is drawn from those classes, and is available now. More info at: www.livtaylor.com/ Watch Liv live on NECN HERE

Open:Yael Deckelbaum: Three songs off her first album were featured on the TV series “The L Word” and two were featured in the movie “Antarctica," in which she was also one of the actors. After her second album “Joy & Sadness," she was invited by Mashina (Israel’s most highly regarded rockband), to join them for a two year tour across Israel & the U.S.

RUST NEVER SLEEPS is a unique, live rock show that celebrates the music, and musical career of Neil Young. Capturing the spirit, the sound, and the feel of what can best be described as a "dream come true" concert experience; you will hear selections from The Buffalo Springfield as well as Young's early 70's folk-rock gems. You will savor the sweet harmonies of Crosby, Stills, and Nash as well as the raging guitar duels between Stills and Young. You will feel the high voltage snap of Crazy Horse as well as the plaintive beauty of "Heart of Gold".

Based in the Greater Boston area, Rust Never Sleeps pays "tribute" to Neil Young and his music the best way they know how... with integrity. While some groups in the tribute-band genre are content with a note for note replication of the original recordings, a Rust Never Sleeps show is infused with the passion and truth that comes from musicians using their own unique, creative energy to present these great songs.

Calling all FutureStars 2015! Apply now - City Music is accepting applications for our 15th Showcase for musicians 18 years and under, to be held at the Bull Run on Sunday, March 29th, 4-8pm. We welcome ALL genres of music (content of music must be appropriate for all ages).

So, if you and your friends have been looking for a place to play, this is your chance.

Plus, the group with the best ticket sales wins a recording session at The Root Cellar, in Westminster.

And you will be supporting music in our schools! City Music donates the proceeds from this and all FutureStars events to public school music programs – more than $13000 since 2005. The 2015 Showcase will benefit the Leominster Public Schools.

Those of you who were at last year's show know just how much fun this event is.

What are dueling pianos? It is a massive "to the top of your lungs" sing along with all your friends! Two grand pianos are center-stage with a team of outrageously talented pianists that seem to know every song ever written.

Each show is different because it's all request. And you or your friends might get called up onstage for a bit of good humored fun and some unforgettable u-tube moments. These shows are request oriented, interactive sing-a-longs wherein two piano players sit across from each other and trade songs. The dueling piano audience is used for the dueling aspect of the show. Audience members are pitted one-side-against-the-other. Examples of rivalries include country vs. rock, men against women, etc.

People do love to interact and have fun. The piano players act as the "Entertainment Directors," responsible for maintaining enthusiasm and maximizing laughs. Hand-picked from only the finest regional talent, they are experts on keeping audience members involved, happy and singing.

Dueling piano shows often take unexpected turns, like involving wait staff members, changing song lyrics or roasting popular audience members. There aren't many boundaries. It's an all-ages show that is the perfect entertainment anyone who like to have fun; one big sing-along party, swaying to the music and bellowing-out familiar lyrics. You're not just being entertained by the piano players - you are part of the show!

Danny Klein, founding member and the one-and-only Ace On Bass for the mighty J. GEILS BAND, rips through all the J. Geils songs you know and love with his own band of local heroes, DANNY KLEIN'S FULL HOUSE!!! This is where you will hear all the J. Geils Band tunes, played the way they were meant to be played by the guys that know how to keep 'em rockin'. Danny was there at the beginning and he's still keeping the legend alive. You won't even believe how much fun you'll have at this show.

The band features Danny Klein on Bass, Artie Eaton on Lead Vocals, Dave Quintiliani on Keys & Vocals, Jim Taft on Drums & Vocals, Steve Gouette on Guitar & Vocals and Richard "Rosy" Rosenblatt on Harmonica.

DK and the boys can be found at clubs, casinos, festivals, and private parties, rockin' the house to classic tunes like Centerfold, Freeze Frame, Musta Got Lost, Whammer Jammer, First I Look at the Purse... the list goes on and on, and so does the House Party!Not your mama's cover band, for sure.

Darren Bessette is a Nashville recording artist who has had the honor of touring with Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, JoDee Messina, Hank Williams Jr., and many more...

Darren moved to Nashville in late 2005 and made his way up in the ranks in the music business never slowing down. He found himself surrounded by some of Nashvilles finest talent and incredibly, he was being featured on several tours throughout the East Coast and MidWest as well as countless award show events such as the CMT Awards and the CMA's, where he was nominated for his song "Country Philosophy."

Darren's daughter, Grace Mackenzie Bessette entered the world on July 13 2007 and it changed his life forever. He moved back home to raise his daughter. Being on the road was no longer as important as watching Grace grow up.

A brand new album is in the early stages and he still travels back and fourth to Nashville writing with an array of incredibly talented writers, a humbling experience to say the least.His current band is: Darren on guitar & vocals, Elle Wine on vocals, Chad Taylor on bass, Michael Paolucci on guitar and Tim DeLongchamp on drums.

Open: Whitney Doucet -Whitney is a country singer from central Mass who recently she sang for the Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots, at Gillette stadium. Last summer, she sang with country superstar Keith Urban at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield Mass during his "'raise em up' tour."

Pure Prairie League's biggest hits include “Aimee," “Two Lane Highway," "Falling in and out of Love," "Early Morning Riser" and the musically less-representative pop song, “Let Me Love You Tonight.” In the '70s and '80s they rode the same country-tinged rock wave that carried the Eagles, Buffalo Springfield, Poco and The Band to popularity. Vince Gill, later to become one of Nashville’s biggest solo stars, sang and played guitar with the band in the early 1980s and recorded an updated version of “Aimee” for their greatest hits album. Influenced by bluesy drive of the Byrds and the seamless fusing of country and rock first introduced by bands like the Flying Burrito Brothers, PPL benefits from tight slide guitar, dueling solos and plenty of jammy Americana, mixing country rock, southern boogie, bluegrass and blues. Whether they are “Pickin To Beat The Devil” or taking you for a ride down a “Two Lane Highway,” PPL is a sure fire good time.The current long-time lineup is: John David Call (pedal steel, vocal), Mike Reilly (guitar, vocals), Rick Schell (bass) and Scott Thompson (drums).

“PPL does what it's always done: they remain true to themselves, creating a sound that doesn't compromise their vision, yet manages to capture the ears of their adoring faithful "prairiedog" fans, as well as a new legion of listeners. If there is a formula to PPL's longevity and success that may very well be it.” - Country Music Online

This guy's not funny, he's a riot. Celebrating 15 years as a stand-up comic, Bob Marley is one of the hottest and most sought-after comedians in the country. He has been featured in his own special on Comedy Central, and is one of the few comics to do the complete late-night TV circuit: “The Late Show” with David Letterman, “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, “Late Night” with Conan O’Brien and “The Late Late Show” with Craig Ferguson and Craig Kilborn. A regular at the Aspen and Montreal comedy festivals, Marley was named one of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch,” Marley has also appeared in several films, including the cult favorite, “Boondock Saints,” where he played Detective Greenley.

Marley, a Maine native and University of Maine at Farmington graduate, uses biographical and observational material for his high-energy routines. He began his career in his hometown of Portland, and then moved to Boston to gain experience in a city known for spawning comedy all-stars. He works nonstop throughout the country, in such cities as Los Angles, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Boston, New York and Denver. And after living in Los Angles for several years, he, his wife and three children have returned to Maine to live. Watch video clip HERE - More info at: www.bmarley.com

Breaking every cliché associated with the blues while producing some of the most powerful music of the 21st century comes as natural to Albert Cummings as swinging a hammer while constructing one of his award-winning custom built homes. This Massachusetts native learned the requisite three chords on the guitar from his father, but then switched to playing banjo at age 12 and became a fan of bluegrass music. Like everything he tackles, he threw himself headlong into the pursuit, going to festivals and winning several picking contests in high school. Before graduating he heard the early recordings of Stevie Ray Vaughan, however, and was floored by the virtuosity. In 1987 he saw Vaughan perform and he returned to the guitar with a new outlook and resolve. He had another tradition to live up to first, however, and he studied the building trade in order to follow his family into the home building business. Not until he was 27, an age when other musicians were either already established or had long ago put their dream aside for the realities of life, did Albert finally decide to go for it.A year later Double Trouble joined Cummings again as he signed with Blind Pig Records to create "True to Yourself." This time they brought in legendary producer Jim Gaines to control the sessions. The all-original release further showcased Albert’s rapidly developing songwriting chops and deeply emotional vocals as well as stunning guitar pyrotechnics that put the metallurgical properties of his strings to the test. Tours and shows with blues legends B.B. King, Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy and others brought his music to an audience grateful for the opportunity to be rocked hard by a man possessed to play every song like his life depended on it.

Every once in a while, you get a combination of singers, songwriters, musicians who, not only have recognized achievements, but combine their unique talents to present an unforgettable show! And this is definitely one of those shows!

MICHAEL ALLMAN, eldest son of Gregg Allman, American rock/blues, Rock Hall of Famer, who not only sings like his father, but looks like him as well! Michael is an original songwriter but you will also here some of the Allman Brothers greatest hits!

CHARLES NEVILLE, Grammy Award winning legendary Neville Brother, is a vocals, sax, flute man, who has gold/platinum records from six different countries! CHARLES has performed on such popular TV shows as the "The Today Show," "Oprah," Saturday Night Live," "Tonight Show," "Letterman," etc! CHARLES ethereal performances at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival have made him be invited every year to perform there! CHARLES has also performed with Ray Charles, James Brown, Santana, The Grateful Dead, etc!

JEFF PITCHELL, singer/songwriter/guitar player and was invited earlier this year to perform w/ the ALLMAN BROTHERS in NYC to a sold-out Beacon Theater. JEFF blends Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King, Jimi Hendrix experiences with his own soulful, superb vocals. His song "Eye for an Eye" won an International Songwriting Contest and was recently recorded by the legendary John Mayall. Jeff won Best Guitarist in State of CT, and w/Texas Flood Best Band in CT, and this year won Best Blues Show in New England in six state vote! Jeff has performed with BB King, Ted Nugent, Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead, J Geils, etc.

Along with Jeff's backup band, Texas Flood, The ALLMAN, NEVILLE, PITCHELL BAND bring together three phenomenal multi-talented artists, to provide an incredible evening of music!

Luke and Russ Condon, founding members of Town Meeting, grew up in Ayer, MA and share a love of listening to and creating great music. They also happen to be brothers. Brendan (Babe) Condon is also a brother and is now a member of the band. He plays a mean harmonica and vocals. Dean Adrien, formerly of Orphan, joined the band in April of 2013. Having played music most of his life with the likes of Jonathan Edwards, Tom Rush and others from the Boston Folk scene, Adrien was already a well accomplished musician when he joined the band. Tim Cackett began playing Bass in High school and was heavily influenced by jazz and funk. After high school he played guitar and toured with various hardcore bands, until he realized he belonged with Town Meeting and now gives the band a bigger and more wholesome TM sound.

Influenced by a wide range of musical acts (Dawes, The Avett Brothers, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) when Dean, Tim and the Condon brothers get together it's nothing short of spectacular. Their songs are original, well written and harmony driven with a real emphasis on musical quality and arrangement. In other words, they don't just write a song, they take some time and craft one.

Since the spring of 2013 when they officially formed, Town Meeting has been playing venues in New England from Harvard Square in Cambridge, MA to colleges in RI and cafes in NH. Whether for a few or for many, when these guys perform, it's always entertaining. (Just ask someone who's seen them!)

Whether you know Joan Osborne for the mega-hit "What if God Was One of Us" or for her fiery cover of "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" from the movie Standing in the Shadows of Motown, it's clear that the singer is no cookie-cutter alt-babe.

This diverse and soulful singer-songwriter earned seven Grammy nods, sang lead with The Grateful Dead, shared stages with such divergent talents as Luciano Pavarotti, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris and Patti Smith, graced the Grand Ole Opry stage and participated in the Lilith Fair. "I just love so many different kinds of music. I know the conventional wisdom about having a career is to define yourself very clearly and just be that one thing really well," Joan says. "But I always felt that I wanted to try everything that I was drawn to. I have been very lucky that I've been welcomed into all these different musical worlds and musical environments."

Osborne's new album, "Love and Hate" is one of her most personally-charged, creatively ambitious efforts to date. “This one feels a little different,” Osborne says of her new release. While she has already earned a reputation as both a commanding, passionate performer and a frank, emotionally evocative songwriter, her soulful songcraft reaches a new level of musical and lyrical resonance on Love and Hate.

Joan will be accompanied by her amazing pianist, Keith Cotton, at this show, so you can expect many familiar favorites along with selections from this wonderful new album.

"There's a substance and depth here that is not easily achieved.. Osborne is getting more interesting with time." - RollingStone.com"4 stars... a triumph of ‘love'... Osborne's back with a sparkling theme album…a fine, and focused, collection of music." - New York Daily News"Her sweet yet husky voice is a wonderfully expressive instrument, bringing emotional honesty, a.k.a. soul, to every performance..." - American Songwriter

In the early Nineties, Van Morrison caught James Hunter at a gig in Wales and subsequently hired him as a backup singer for several years of touring and recording. James appeared on Morrison’s live album, "A Night in San Francisco,", and on the studio set, "Days Like This."“He’s one of the best voices and best kept secrets in British R&B and soul.” - Van Morrison

Onstage, the fifty-one-year-old British singer and songwriter has the energy of a man half his age, or younger. He's a former railroad construction worker with a soulful tenor that recalls a range of R & B giants like Sam Cooke, Ray Charles or Bobby Bland. Hunter leads his band, the James Hunter Six, through strict tempos and lightning-quick switchbacks. He is warm, engaging and likely to be telling a joke while checking with the audience to see if they’re having a good time. Hunter’s tight, taut compositions are rooted in American soul music without being bound to it, while hisirreverence allows him to evade cliché and keep the genre vibrant. “Often, that’s where the soul revivalists fall flat,” Hunter says. “They invest the music with a mystique that it doesn’t warrant, which destroys it. I was playing in a club once and a very earnest young French couple said to me, ‘Do you feel your music is like a religion?’ ‘No,’ I said. ‘I take it seriously.

In 2006, GO Records/Rounder released "People Gonna Talk," the first James Hunter album ever issued in the US. With its affectionate echoes of Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson, the disc became an airplay staple on some of the nation’s most influential radio stations. The Los Angeles Times praised James Hunter’s “extraordi­nary soul voice”; Rolling Stone called his album “a treat not to miss.” By the year’s end, "People Gonna Talk" was among the Top Ten “Best Albums of 2006” as cited by Mojo, USA Today and the WFUV listeners’ poll, to name a few. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Tradi­tional Blues Album and James himself was nominated as Best New/Emerging Artist in the annual Americana Music Awards.

His next album, "The Hard Way" earned even better accolades, with Rolling Stone calling it “unbelievably awesome” and the New York Times praising Hunter’s “tight, slithery groove” and “sweet growl.” The album featured a guest appearance by avowed Hunter fan Allen Toussaint, and like its predecessor reached #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart. Hunter toured extensively behind it, both as a headliner and supporting the likes of Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Willie Nelson, Van Morrison, Chris Isaak, Boz Scaggs and others.

"The new James Hunter Six album, 'Minute by Minute,' on Daptone Records was produced by label co-founder Gabriel Roth, who nails the sound of R&B in its formative years when it was part rock 'n' roll, part jump blues, all swing and swagger. It's a marvelous fit with Hunter's own swoons, croons, screams and rips as he and the group time-warp back to the early days of AM rock radio, minus the static.

Watch "Chicken Switch" from the new album HERE - Watch James with Sharon Jones HERE

Charlie Farren is known for great songs, great singing and outstanding live solo acoustic performances. Alone onstage with acoustic guitar in hand, he captures an audience with his unique delivery, insightful lyrics, memorable songs, soaring vocals and subtle yet innovative guitar style. ?Bursting onto the national scene in the early '80s as lead singer and guitarist with The Joe Perry Project, he established himself as one of the hottest young singers on the Boston music scene, writing the hits "Listen To The Rock," "East Coast, West Coast" and "I've Got The Rock And Rolls Again."?In 1986 Charlie, along with Dave Hull (Joe Perry Project) and John Muzzy, formed Farrenheit and released a self-titled debut album on Warner Brothers. Three singles from that album, "Fool in Love," "Bad Habit," and "Lost in Loveland" and video exposure on MTV, established Farrenheit as one of the premier new rock acts receiving awards, media attention and new fans across the country.?Charlie has since released "World Gone Wild," "Four Letter Word," and "Live at Club Passim" as a solo artist. His new CD, "Tuesday" is his best work to date, featuring a song that was written but never released by longtime friend, the late Brad Delp, powerhouse vocalist for the legendary band Boston.?Charlie Farren continues to be one of America's most original and compelling musical artists. He takes the stage alone, and leaves the stage with a roomful of new believers.?

"Charlie is contagious, displaying a candor rarely demonstrated by former arena rock stars. It's clear he has not lost the ability to captivate a room full of people no matter what the size." - Tom Dempsey, SoundCheck magazine.

Mark Marquis, critically acclaimed guitarist, is one of the finest musicians you will hear anywhere.Along with his band, The Mark Marquis Group, he has been performing his music in concert, clubs, and festivals for the past thirty years, combining a blend of jazz, blues, rock, fusion and world music with a fantastic line up of musicians.

In addition to performing his compositions, Marquis has been known to pull out and place his own spin on music by such artists as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and more. His solo guitar segments are often a highlight of his concerts. But whatever direction he may take, Mark has a way of bringing his own unique style to the tunes being played.

Marquis has written arranged and produced a number of CDs, including, "Above the Clouds," "The Invisible Ray" and "Right Place, Right Time." His annual “Most Peaceful Night of the Year” holiday concerts are some of the most popular and well attended shows in the Worcester County area.Fantastic guitar playing and always a great band: a night of music you don’t want to miss. This is as good as it gets!

Mississippi born Charlie Musselwhite is one of the most revered blues musicians in the world, so casual, soft spoken and friendly in conversation. But unleashed on stage, under the spotlight, in front of a packed crowd, those "entertainer instincts" take over and his whole persona seems to subtlety shift, to take on something deeper, harder, tighter and louder. Hunched over a bit, hands cupped around a harmonica and microphone, he starts blowing like a human blast-furnace, rocking forward and back as he wails, spurred on by the tense grooves of his excellent backing band. The harmonica master, also a respected singer and songwriter in his own right, has won countless awards during his legendary career (see below) and collaborated with innumerable musical giants of the past 50 years including Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Big Joe Williams, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Tom Waits, Eddie Vedder and John Lee Hooker, to name a few.Most of his tunes are uptempo shuffles and boogie grooves, and listening to his harp you can almost imagine how it might have sounded echoing his own loneliness off the backstreet blues clubs of Chicago’s south side. “The blues sounded like how I felt growing up" Charlie says. "Too many people think of the blues as sad, but many of these tunes are fun, dancing tunes that lift your spirits. I often tell people that the blues is your buddy in good times and your comforter in bad times. It empowers you to keep going. It is secular spiritual music, the gospel blues. It’s music from the heart instead of the head.”Born in Mississippi, Musselwhite arrived in Chicago in the early sixties, just in time for the epochal blues revival. In 1966 at the age of 22 he recorded the landmark "Stand Back! Here Comes Charlie Musselwhite’s Southside Band" to rave reviews. Moving to San Francisco in 1967, where his album was being played on underground radio, found him welcomed into the counterculture scene around the Fillmore West as an authentic purveyor of the real deal blues. More than 20 albums later he is at the top of his game, a revered elder statesman of the blues nowhere near ready to hang up his harp belt, his depth of expression as a singer and an instrumentalist unexcelled and only getting deeper.With music as dark as Mississippi mud or as uplifting as the blue skies of California, in an era when the term legendary gets applied to auto-tuned pop stars, this singular blues harp player, singer, songwriter and guitarist has earned and deserves to be honored as a true master of American classic vernacular music.2010 Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, 7-time GRAMMY Nominee, 27-time Blues Music Award Winner, 8-time Living Blues Award Winner, 2013 Living Blues Awards (Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica), 2012 Blues Music Award Winner for Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year and for Best Instrumentalist Harmonica, 2011 GRAMMY Nominee for Best Traditional Blues Album – The Well, 2011 Blues Music Award Winner for Best Instrumentalist – Harmonica and Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year, 2011 Living Blues Awards (Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica), 2009 Mississippi Blues Trail Marker Honoree, Beale Street Brass Note Walk of Fame Honoree and in 2008 Charlie’s marker was placed outside of BB King‘s Nightclub in Memphis, TN.

Formed in Sleepy Hollow, New York over a decade ago, The Slambovian Circus of Dreams (AKA The Grand Slambovians) pioneered the alt-folk/americana genre, staying on the fringes of the music industry while producing several critically acclaimed studio albums.

To be fully appreciated they must be seen live. Their melodic avant-folk conjures a quirkier Tom Petty or a fuller Buffalo Tom with an exotic instrumental arsenal. And though their studio albums are full of wild brilliance and dynamic hippie soul, you just haven't had the full experience until you've survived the Alice-in-Wonderland, full-frontal assault of a live show. If you like Dylan, Bowie, The Decemberists, you’ll find a lot to love about this band which features an other-worldly slide mandolin, accordion, cello and styles ranging from dusty Americana ballads to Pink Floydesque cinematic anthems. Headlining major music festivals and venues across the U.S., Canada and the UK, they built their career from the ground up with a loyal fan base supporting them all the way….

Fronted by songwriter Joziah Longo (vocals/guitar/harmonica) whose voice is “Soothing and bewitching as a snake oil tonic” says The Big Issue, UK and goes on to say “the entire root system of Rock Family Trees is embedded in his voice.” The band features guitarist/mandolin player Sharkey McEwen (think lovechild of David Gilmour and Duane Allman); multi-instrumentalist Tink Lloyd (accordion, cello, uke, theremin, melodica); and Eric Puente (Percussion.)

"Gandalf Murphy & the SCD is simply one of the finest American bands out there..." - All Music Guide"Casting a wide net, their music energizes anyone who hears it." - Relix Magazine"Mightily impressive and hugely original... 'tis truly an epic soundtrack." - Maverick Magazine, UK"Lively songs that are imbued with mystical stirrings." - New York Times

Soft-spoken in conversation, 19-year-old Jenny Tolman is bold and courageous behind a guitar, able to make sense of life’s challenges by putting them under a verbal microscope. Her voice mixes the smokiness of Shelby Lynne with the accessibility of your next-door neighbor, and her self-written stories ring true for just about anyone who hears them.

"Her songwriting, inspired by real-world issues, is beyond her age." says producer Judy Rodman, an Academy of Country Music award-winner. "So is her motivation."

“My music is very honest,” Tolman says. “My goal is to help other people. If I keep myself hidden, then that’s not really going to help anyone.”

Her song “Damn Cigarettes” placed second in the country category in the Unsigned Only songwriting competition, which features such notable judges as Rosanne Cash, Dustin Lynch and Craig Morgan.

With every record he makes, Ari Hest says his music is progressively more reflective of who he is. At 34, the Bronx-based singer/songwriter's musicianship has evolved from writing songs on imagery to real-life experiences coming from an honest, intense place. On his upcoming June 8th release 'Shouts and Whispers', Hest creates a non-typical collection of tracks that ultimately form a cohesive narrative. With songs of sadness and resignation giving way to lucidity and catharsis, Hest's introspection and intelligence are on display, creating moments of magic within his poetic, spare lyrics and backing them up with his ear for haunting melodies. Hest conceived half the album as an acoustic set, while the other half took shape via keyboards, as he explains below. 'Shouts and Whispers' begins with the swirling, hypnotic 'Harvest', soon followed by a centerpiece track, the stunning, understated 'Into the Empty White'. 'How We'll Always Be' is perhaps a declaration of giving up the fight, and the melancholy 'No One Can Stay' has an elegant darkness. There's a glimmer of hope within 'Bona Fide', and finally a cathartic yowl as 'After The Thunder' builds to its crescendo.

Hest has released seven albums, three EPs, and "52" in 2008, an innovative project whereby he wrote, recorded and released a new song every Monday for a full year. In addition, Hest is half of the folk pop duo The Open Sea, along with longtime friend Rosi Golan.

His music has been featured on numerous television shows including Private Practice, Army Wives, and One Tree Hill. Recently, Ari's song "The Landlord" appeared in an episode of NPR's "All Things Considered". He's also scored a film called 'Dreamriders,' which won several independent film awards. And throughout his career, he has toured worldwide to support his records, most recently in Germany as well as several European countries, and built the kind of loyal fan base any musician would envy. While "Shouts and Whispers" is an excellent indication of what Hest is capable of, his live show may leave even more of an impression. Watching him play, one can't help but be thrust into his world, hanging on every word like a child listening to a ghost story.

The songs of John Sebastian have become a permanent part of our American musical fabric. His group The Lovin' Spoonful played a major role in the mid-'60s rock revolution... You know the songs by heart: "Do You Believe In Magic?" "You Didn't Have To Be So Nice." "Daydream." "Younger Girl." "Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?" "Summer In The City." "Rain On The Roof." "Nashville Cats." "Six O'Clock." "Darling Be Home Soon." "Younger Generation."

The Lovin' Spoonful was not his first act, and it certainly wasn't its last. After leaving the Spoonful, he moved into a solo career with performances at Woodstock and its English equivalent the Isle of Wight Festivals. And, of course, "Welcome Back Kotter". Throughout the '70s and '80s he continued to record and tour, pleasing old fans and winning new ones. The '90s also saw John return to the group format with the J-Band, a contemporary celebration of his jug band heritage. And his induction into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 hasn't slowed him down a bit. John is still out there spreading his gospel of American roots music. Perhaps because it has been the product of heart and soul and history, the oldest song in the Sebastian catalog is as fresh and vital as the song he's about to write tomorrow. That's why you still hear his music everywhere - in movies, on television, in cover versions and samples - and why it's always welcome. Listen

Special Guests: Paul Rishell & Annie Raines - Paul Rishell and Annie Raines' masterful performances have won them fans around the globe. They have released four albums, including the W.C. Handy Award winner for Acoustic Blues Album of the Year, Moving to the Country. Paul and Annie will do an opening set and also accompany John during his set.

5-9-2015(Ballroom)Over the past 20 years, Peter Mulvey has pursued a restless, eclectic path as a writer and musician - immersing himself in Tin PanAlley jazz, modern acoustic, poetry, narrative and Americana stylings. Relentlessly touring as a headliner – his attitude is, “When you love what you do, you can work all the time,” – he has also shared the stage with luminaries such as Emmylou Harris, Richard Thompson, Ani diFranco, Indigo Girls, and Greg Brown, and has attracted an audience that stretches from Anchorage to Amsterdam.

Peter is touring in support of his new CD, "Siver Ladder," which is an artistic rebirth for Mulvey, the work of an artist who has discovered his inner rock-and-roller, a man who has been through the eye of the needle and come through it with a haul of songs to spark and encourage his fellow humans.

Mulvey draws on an extremely broad swath of influence; he is always reading, listening, and eager to hear new poetry, modern minimalist composers, old-time fiddle tunes, Argentinean trip-hop, or top-shelf bar bands.

“Peter Mulvey is consistently the most original and dynamic of the US singer-songwriters to tour these shores. A phenomenal performer with huge energy, a quick fire, quirky take on life, and an extraordinary guitar style. A joy to see.”-The Irish Times

“Gleefully mercurial...equal parts breezy jazz and whispery folk. His voice feels like fine old leather, and his guitar sounds like it’s on steroids...a superb technician with a fondness for ignoring the rules...a genre-defying traditionalist — a knuckleballer with finger-picks” - The Boston Globe

In a career that has already spanned a half-century, Jorma Kaukonen has been one of the most highly respected interpreters of American roots music, blues, and Americana, and at the forefront of popular rock-and-roll. A member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy nominee, he is a founding member of two legendary bands, Jefferson Airplane and the still-touring Hot Tuna. Jorma Kaukonen’s repertoire goes far beyond his involvement creating psychedelic rock; he is a music legend and one of the finest singer-songwriters in music.Jorma currently, as he has for many years, tours the world bringing his unique styling to old blues tunes while presenting new songs of weight and dimension. Jorma is releasing his next solo album, "Ain’t In No Hurry," early in 2015 on Red House Records.Jorma Kaukonen, Jr. was born and raised in the Washington D.C. area. He was a devotee of rock-and-roll in the Buddy Holly era but soon developed a love for the blues and bluegrass that were profuse in the clubs and concerts in the nation’s capitol. While learning guitar he met Jack Casady, the younger brother of a friend and a guitar player in his own right. And though they could not have known it, they were beginning a musical partnership that has continued for over 50 years.Jorma moved to California, where he returned to classes at Santa Clara University and earned money by teaching guitar. It was at this time, that he met Paul Kantner and was asked to join a new band. Although Jorma’s true passion was roots music, he decided to join. That band was the Jefferson Airplane. Jorma invited his old musical partner Jack Casady to come out to San Francisco and play electric bass for Jefferson Airplane, and together they created much of Jefferson Airplane’s signature sound. A pioneer of counterculture-era psychedelic rock, the group was the first band from the San Francisco scene to achieve international mainstream success. They performed at the three most famous American rock festivals of the 1960s—Monterey (1967), Woodstock(1969) and Altamont (1969)—as well as headlining the first Isle of Wight Festival (1968). Their 1967 record "Surrealistic Pillow" is regarded as one of the key recordings of the "Summer of Love". Two hits from that album, "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit", are listed in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".Jorma and Jack would jam whenever they could and would sometimes perform sets within sets at Airplane concerts. The two would often play clubs following Airplane performances. Making a name for themselves as a duo, they struck a record deal, and Hot Tuna was born. Jorma left Jefferson Airplane after the band’s most productive five years, pursuing his full-time job with Hot Tuna.Over the next three and a half decades Hot Tuna would perform thousands of concerts and release more than two-dozen records. The musicians who performed with them were many and widely varied, as were their styles—from acoustic to long and loud electric jams but never straying far from their musical roots. What is remarkable is that they have never coasted. Hot Tuna today sounds better than ever.In addition to his work with Hot Tuna, Jorma has recorded more than a dozen solo albums on major labels beginning with 1974’s "Quah" and continuing with his recent acoustic releases on Red House Records—2007’s "Stars in My Crown" and "River of Time," produced by Larry Campbell and featuring Levon Helm.As the leading practitioner and teacher of fingerstyle guitar, Jorma and his wife Vanessa Lillian operate one of the world’s most unique centers for the study of guitar and other instruments. Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace RanchGuitar Camp is located on 125 acres of fields, woods, hills, and streams in the Appalachian foothills of Southeastern Ohio. Since it opened in 1998, thousands of musicians whose skills range from basic to highly accomplished gather for weekends of master instruction offered by Jorma and other instructors who are leaders in their musical fields.Jorma Kaukonen is constantly looking to take his musical horizons further still, always moving forward and he is quick to say that teaching is among the most rewarding aspects of his career. “You just can’t go backward. The arrow of time only goes in one direction.”VIDEO

5-16-2015 (Ballroom)Chris McDermott - Guitarist, composer, singer, producer of fine recordings and Viking oarsman, Chris has released 5 albums and produced and played on many more. A former staff writer for Warner/Chappel publishing and part-time instructor at Berklee College of Music (guitar theory), he has also toured as sideman to blues greats Eddie Kirkland, Carrie Bell, Nappy Brown, Zorah Young, Marva Wright, Toni Lynn Washington and many more. As band leader, he's played extensively all over the globe for the past 25 yrs. His last release "radio ghosts" is still receiving airplay on over two hundred stations across the U.S.A. Look for Chris on most internet radio stations, iTunes, and CDBaby.His current shows feature more acoustic style guitar, showcasing his talent for masterful composition, guitar technique and a rhythmic wild ride.“The sheer versatility in outrageous aggressive accoustic guitar, left field electric blues and a great songwriter to boot!" - Acoustic Fingerstyle Magazine

Roberto Morbioli plays the Blues. He can breathe fire from his ax like a young Clapton or Stevie Ray. Crowded, noisy bars hush a bit when he steps up and folks look around to see who this is making such a holy wail.

Roberto was born in Verona, Italy and picked up the guitar when he was very young. He has played at some of the biggest European festivals like: Amsterdam Blues Festival, New Orleans Music Festival in Ascona and Sanremo Blues Festival. He has performed in the USA at B.B. King’s Blues club in Memphis, and “Antone’s” in Austin, Texas. In 1991 he founded his own band MORBLUS (more blues) which brought him critical recognition and awards.

His personality and unique playing style shine through all his interpretations so much that, even while recalling the styles of blues greats such as Freddy King, Albert King, B.B. King, Albert Collins, T. Bone Walker, Steve Ray Vaughn and Eric Clapton, you see and hear that every note coming out ot this Italian bluesman is coming straight from his big heart. And it's so infectious that you're caught up in it before you realize what's happening. Morbioli’s guitar playing is nothing short of magic, and as a singer, his powerful voice recalls Sam Cook, O.V. Wright, Little Milton, Otis Redding, Robert Cray and Donny Hathaway. You don't even think about it, you just know that the blues flow so naturally for Roberto Morbioli, and his guitar playing and vocals are so polished, he sounds as if he grew up closer to Chicago than Verona, Italy

Coretta Sellars hails from the small town of Lunenburg, MA, contributing her neutral sound and passionate lyrics to the musical blends of Country, Blues, and Folk/Rock stylings. Having already recorded five albums between 1996 and present day, Sellars has created a prolific catalogue of songs that have become popular and personal amongst her fellow listeners and fan base. Sellars recently formed the duo VanRet with friend and musician Krista Van Guilder. The duo performs a wide range of cover songs, and originals as well. VanRet is a show not to miss! Rockin' two long sets, bringing soul, intensity and conviction.

Krista Van Guilder, originally from Shirley, is a singer/guitarist/songwriter currently living in Worcester, MA. She has spent the last 15 years fronting heavy metal bands playing in the New England area. Balancing her love for heavy metal and acoustic rock, Krista brings attitude and passion to her acoustic performances. Her setlist includes a mix of popular songs from varying time periods and genres but with a twist and originals crafted with passion and experience. In recent years she has reunited with her former highschool classmate Coretta Sellars to form VanRet.

Opener: The Coretta Sellars Band - The band is back! Performing all new originals with members KJ Duval, Derrick Butler, and Tim Kelly (Tastes Like Chicken Band) This is a show not to be missed!!

For The Outlaws, it was always about the music. For 40 years, the Southern Rock legends celebrated triumphs, endured tragedies and survived legal nightmares to remain one of the most influential and best-loved bands of the genre. Now they return with new music, new focus and an uncompromising new mission: It’s about a band of brothers bound together by history, harmony and the road. It’s about a group that respects its own legacy while refusing to be defined by its past. But most of all, it’s about pride.

"It’s About Pride" is the new album from The Outlaws, a record 4 years in the making and perhaps 20 or more in the waiting. And for original Outlaws singer/songwriter/guitarist Henry Paul, it’s a hard-fought revival whose success can be measured in old fans and new music. “Because The Outlaws have been out of the public eye for so long, it’s almost like starting over,” he explains. “But because of the band’s history, we’re seeing this as a new chapter. We’ve written and recorded this album on our own terms, and we’re out to make a significant impression. What our fans loved then they still love now, but most of all, they recognize the heart & soul of what it is we still do.” For co-founding drummer/songwriter Monte Yoho, the journey is both bittersweet and jubilant. “I still think about the friends we made when we first came into this industry, how we struggled to define this thing that became known as ‘Southern Rock’,” Yoho says. “This new album embodies all the things we shared musically and personally, as well as the relationships we have with our fans to this day. It’s about where we’ve been, where we’re going, and why we still love to do this.”

Formed in Tampa in 1972, The Outlaws – known for their triple-guitar rock attack and three-part country harmonies – became one of the first acts signed by Clive Davis (at the urging of Ronnie Van Zant) to his then-fledgling Arista Records. The band’s first three albums "The Outlaws," "Lady In Waiting" and "Hurry Sundown" – featuring such rock radio favorites as “There Goes Another Love Song”, “Green Grass & High Tides”, “Knoxville Girl” and “Freeborn Man” – would become worldwide gold and platinum landmarks of the Southern Rock era. Known as ‘The Florida Guitar Army’ by their fans, The Outlaws earned a formidable reputation as an incendiary live act touring with friends The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Marshall Tucker Band and The Charlie Daniels Band as well as The Doobie Brothers, The Who, Eagles and The Rolling Stones.

For Henry Paul, Monte Yoho, Billy Crain, Chris Anderson, Dave Robbins and Randy Threet it’s about a band of brothers who love playing their own style of rock, and who 40 years ago first got the chance to take it from Florida to the world.

If you saw this sold-out show last year, you already know what an incredible guitarist/performer Quinn Sullivan is. Forget about the fact that he's fifteen year's old, he's simply amazing.Watch the piece that "Chronicle" did on him last year HERE

Seven years ago multi-Grammy™ winning blues guitarist Buddy Guy had a remarkable encounter when eight-year-old guitarist Quinn Sullivanjoined him on stage. Guy was so taken with his incredible guitar skills that he invited him to play on his Grammy™ nominated album “Skin Deep” (that also included guest performances from Eric Clapton, Robert Randolph, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi) and tour with him nationally. Quinn's blistering solo on the record was the aptly titled ”Whose Gonna Fill Those Shoes?”He was soon being invited to perform at festivals, TV and radio programs. So far, he has appeared Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Ellen, Oprah and The Today Show and was featured in Guitar Player and Guitar World magazines. He has been actively building his craft sharing stages nationally with Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang and BB King at iconic venues including the Hollywood Bowl, the Apollo Theater and the Beacon. Quinn received a major honor being the youngest artist to play the world renowned Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and will be performing at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival at Madison Square Garden in April, along with an all-star lineup.

Now fifteen, Sullivan has an album on SuperStar records, "Getting There." Produced and co-written with Grammy, ASCAP and BMI award winner, Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, Susan Tedeschi, BB King), the album will appeal to hard-core blues fans and rock aficionados and to fans craving authentic, guitar driven, grooves and melodies. Quinn, as it happens, is as adept at vocals as he is at making his beloved Stratocaster sing.John Heithaus of SuperStar Records, said: “Triple threat artists like Quinn are truly rare. He is a prime example of today’s new breed of songwriters, musicians and performers and we have high aspirations for him!” Legendary jazz guitarist John McLaughlin said: “He’s unbelievable … and he plays just like Jimi (Hendrix)!” Buddy Guy says: “You don’t come across talent like this every day. People called Ray Charles a genius? I think you’ve got another one here.”

Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb started her career with the platinum-selling Number 1 hit song “Stay (I Missed You)” from the film Reality Bites. To this day, she is still the only artist to have a Number 1 single while not signed to a recording contract. And 20 Years after she struck gold with “Stay” the song still remains relevant in pop culture, appearing prominently in TV shows like the hit series, “Orange is the New Black,” “Workaholics,” and “The New Girl” with Zooey Deschanel. The story of Loeb’s early success is well known. A native of Dallas, Texas, Loeb earned her degree in comparative literature from Brown University, where she experienced her first taste of real musical success with the duo, Liz and Lisa. The pair built a substantial following on campus and often booked shows in New York on the weekends. Fellow singer/songwriter Duncan Sheik also played in the band during Lisa’s final year of college. When Loeb moved to NYC after graduation, she continued to develop her vision, this time as a solo artist, and hone her artistic talents while carefully managing the business side of her career. This led to Reality Bites and “Stay” in 1994, and the rest, as we say, is history.Today, Loeb continues to grow as an artist and to push herself and her career forward with a creative zeal and an inner drive not often seen. While becoming a mom of two, she is also in the process of releasing a new eyewear line, in partnership with Classique Eyewear, Lisa Loeb Eyewear; her second children’s book “Lisa Loeb’s Songs for Moving and Shaking” out April 2, 2013; and another adult studio album, "No Fairy Tale," out February 5, 2013. Forever the fearless performer, Lisa Loeb is constantly exploring her creativity and telling original stories; whether by writing a book, producing a TV show, or continuing to develop her acting career.

If you haven't heard of him yet, you will soon. Believe me, this one is going up.

Selwyn Birchwood, Florida’s rising young blues fireball, is a guitar and lap-steel-playing bundle of pure energy. He delivers his original songs with a revival tent preacher’s fervor and a natural storyteller’s charisma made all the more impactful by his raw, unvarnished vocals. Birchwood plays high-octane blues – at once deeply rooted, funky and up-to-the-minute – with true passion and honest emotion. With his band feeding off his drive and exuberance, the striking 6’3” 29-year-old with his trademark Afro roams the stage (often barefoot), ripping out memorable guitar licks with ease. His ability to win over an audience, any audience, is proven night after night on the bandstand.

In 2013, Birchwood catapulted from local hero to shooting star. He won the world-renowned International Blues Challenge, beating out 125 other bands from the U.S. and abroad. He also took home the Albert King Guitarist Of The Year Award. Living Blues says, "Selwyn Birchwood is making waves, surprising people and defying expectations."

His debut album, "Don’t Call No Ambulance," is a fully realized vision of contemporary blues. Birchwood’s original songs range from raucous romps to hill country stomps, from searing, serious slow blues to modern blues rock. Between his uninhibited sense of fun and adventure and his serious-as-a-heart-attack musicianship, "Don’t Call No Ambulance" is a window into the future of the blues. “All originals and no filler,” he says of the album. “It’s that genuineness of emotion in the songs that people can hear.”

Louisiana born Tony Joe White, or The Swamp Fox as he's aptly called, is an American Original; a national musical treasure; the real deal - really. White is best known for 1969’s “Polk Salad Annie” and for "Rainy Night in Georgia," which he wrote but was first made popular by Brook Benton. He also wrote "Steamy Windows" and "Undercover Agent for the Blues" both big hits for Tina Turner in 1989; those two songs came by way of Turner's producer at the time, Mark Knopfler, who is a friend of White. Dusty Springfield had a hit with “Willie and Laura Mae Jones” and Elvis Presley brought “For Ol’ Times Sake” and “I’ve Got a Thing About You Baby” to the charts.

But White has always been a singular performer in his own right; the honeyed burr of his baritone, his alternately tough and tender vocal delivery and liberal use of his “whomper stomper” wah-wah pedal lend him a completely distinctive sound. Simply put, nobody, but nobody, sounds like Tony Joe White. He's got the down-home swampy bayou thing down, not because he studied it, but because it's who he is - it's in his blood.Some of his songs, like “They Caught the Devil and Put Him in Jail in Eudora, Arkansas” and “My Kind of Woman” could blow the doors off any roadhouse south of the Mason-Dixon line. While his ballads, like "Louisiana Rain" will show you where Blues came from and still lives….. He has worked with all the greats in the business, including the legendary team of Jerry Wexler and Tom Dowd with the mighty Muscle Shoals sessioneers in support. But despite his illustrious past, he feels no pressure to top himself. “Maybe I’ll stop playing shows and making records when the songs quit coming to me" he says. "But they still come to me…"

Tony Joe recently made a guest appearance with the Foo Fighters on Letterman for the performance of “Polk Salad Annie.” Watch the video HEREAlso catch the Foo Fighters HBO series "Sonic Highways" Nashville episode featuring Tony Joe White, which aired Friday, Oct. 31.His new album, "Rattlesnakes & Cookies" was just released on December 10, 2014 and he'll be signing copies at the show.More great videos: Hoodoo Now - Swamp Rap - Lake Placid Blues

Robbie Fulks is one of the best songwriters this country has to offer, period. Redd Volkaert is among the top Telecaster guitar-slingers you will find anywhere. To have them both together on one stage is a monumental event.

Robbie Fuchs plays by nobody's rules, except the ones he hears in his head. He is prodigiously talented, with the soul of a country singer and the mind of a vaudevillian. Widely regarded as one of the most gifted songwriters to ever ply the trade, he can sing the kids ditty "Eggs" and Haggard's "Sing a Sad Song" back to back and mean 'em both. While it is true he started off a honky tonk smartass, it quickly became evident that Robbie was a monster talent and some of his early Bloodshot albums have been rightly elevated to the status of "classic" and serve as their own Greatest Hits collections. It is a damn shame that he has not been elevated to the ranks of the multi-faceted giants of songwriting like Nick Lowe, Dave Alvin and Harlan Howard. And on top of all that, he is also one of the best guitarists around, whipping out in honky-tonk, country, bluegrass, power pop or whatever he's feeling at the time.

Redd Volkaert was a guitarist in Merle Haggard's backing band. He also fronted the superstar hillbilly band the "Twangbangers" with Bill Kirchen and Dallas Wayne. In 2009 he won a Grammy for "Best Country Instrumental Performance." If you were a Danny Gatton fan, you will absolutely love Redd. He won the "Best Electric guitarist in Austin" award two years in a row. Redd is all over his Telecaster like grease on a pork chop, quoting jazz, country, blues and Western swing as effortlessly as turning on the lights in the living room.

Three-time Grammy winner Delbert McClinton is a legend among Texas Blues/Roots music aficionados, not only for his amazing longevity, but for his ability to combine country, blues, soul, and rock & roll as if there were no distinctions between any of them in the best time-honored Texas tradition. A formidable harmonica player long before he recorded as a singer, McClinton's career began in the late '50s, when he played harmonica on "Hey Baby" a #1 hit by fellow Texan Bruce Channel, yet it took him nearly two decades to evolve into a bona fide solo artist. A critics' darling and favorite of his peers, McClinton has won three Grammy awards to date - one for a duet with Bonnie Raitt (Good Man, Good Woman), and two for the albums, "Nothing Personal" and "Cost of Living."

But he began his career dodging flying bottles and whipping through greasy versions of “Watermelon Man” and “Tequila” behind the strippers on the Jacksboro Highway, the infamous Fort Worth honky-tonk row. And during his 40-plus years he has flirted with bankruptcy, burnout and all the standard issues of substance abuse and familial chaos that come along with a career at the ragged edges of a lifelong road trip. These days Delbert finds himself in the strangest place of all - the mainstream - with respectability, acclaim and even, as one of his CDs was called “Room to Breathe.”

Delbert McClinton is now becoming a household name. And as Willie Nelson said: “It's about time. Delbert's stuck to his guns, he's been so good for a really long time, and he's as good as anyone.”

Phil Hicks is a local bourbon aficionado and long-time patron of the Bull Run. He was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH, just a stone’s throw from the rolling hills of Kentucky, the heart and soul of Bourbon Country.

First exposed to the venerable spirit at a young age (courtesy of his grandmother’s Christmas eggnog), he has been a fan ever since. Phil has read a great deal about bourbon and obtained formal training on distilled spirits through Boston University’s Gastronomy Program. He enjoys talking about bourbon almost as much as drinking it.

This tasting event promises to be lively and informative. We will sample five different bourbons followed by a spirit-inspired, 3 course meal from Chef Isaac.See menu HERE

Don White stays right at home to mine comic gold. Coming from the world of stand-up, he is a funny man whose concerts can turn what happens in his home into an onstage biopic! His funny and often touching songs like "How to Get Your Kids to Leave Home", "Be 16 With Me", and "Rascal" go straight to his audience's heart.

Together, Christine Lavin and Don White are a funny, funny 2-fer of comedy and song.

The Danielle Nicole Band

As founding member and bass player of Kansas City blues-rock band Trampled Under Foot, winner of the 2014 Blues Music Award for Instrumentalist - Bassist and nominee for "female artist" in the 2014 Blues Blast Music Awards, Danielle Schnebelen has spent years growing her fan base around the world. In 2014 she decided to push her musical boundaries further by forming the Danielle Nicole Band, which also features Mike “Shinetop” Sedovic, Jan Faircloth and Brandon Miller.

A natural-born performer, Danielle got her start singing in coffeehouses and open mics in the local Kansas City blues scene. Her talent and on stage charisma played a major role in the success of Trampled Under Foot and helped the band earn numerous awards and nominations over the years, including multiple Blues Music Award nominations for “Band of the Year” and a two nominations recognizing her individual accomplishments as a musician for “Bass Player of the Year." Drawing comparisons to Susan Tedeschi and Etta James, Danielle delivers a sweeping vocal range and powerful telling of her lyrics every time she hits the stage.

Mike “Shinetop, jr.” Sedovic was discovered by The Blues Notions, one of Kansas City’s longest running blues bands, and spent the next eight years honing his skills alongside some of the best and most knowledgeable bluesmen on the scene before teaming up with the Danielle Nicole Band.Jan Faircloth spent eleven years with the popular blues rock outfit Levee Town, making five records and touring widely around the US and Canada.Brandon Miller released two full-length albums and shared the stage with Jonny Lang, Foghat, Night Ranger and Eddie Money, before forming the Brandon Miller Band, a powerful, guitar-driven blues-rock trio. Now Brandon brings that rock n roll edge to the Danielle Nicole Band.

Improv 3 perform quick witted, fast paced improvisational skits, games and songs. Every show is unique, using audience suggestions and participation. They create new characters, employ hysterical games, and share their high energy in every skit they do. They make up everything as they go, so no show is ever the same. Come be part of the show or sit back and watch the fun! All performances are family friendly.

Performing together since 2008, Marisa Olson, Jessica Cernak, Lauren Malsick, Rachel Olson, Emily Olson and Chloe Malsick began as a competitive team, but loved improv so much they took their show on the road. You will love it too. And when you do, tell all your friends; if you hate them, tell your enemies!

Modern Man

In this crazy world of music and performing, Modern Man are a delightful change of pace. A cross between Crosby, Stills & Nash and the Marx Brothers, David Buskin, Rob Carlson and George Wurzbach are three celebrated singers and songwriters, "terrific instrumentalists with gorgeous voices and hilarious wits." Together they quickly redefine something-or-other and delight audiences as they interweave themes ranging from God to Godzilla, from manliness to cluelessness, from ESPN to the FBI with a vocal blend that has not been heard since Ella and F. Scott Fitzgerald went their separate ways. As Showbusiness Weekly put it: "Buskin, Carlson and Wurzbach should be arrested for being so funny." Or as Back Stage put it: "...these guys are the Thomas Alva Edisons of humor. They're inventive. You know, the bulb goes on."

Folk fans will no doubt remember David Buskin from "Buskin and Batteau," (he was Buskin) and from his songs recorded by Judy Collins, Johnny Mathis, Roberta Flack, Peter Paul & Mary, Tom Rush, Pat Benatar and Sadao Watanabe.Rob Carlson is a writer, producer, comedian and regular contributor to "The American Comedy Network." He also runs "The Producers," his own Creative Services studio in Fairfield, CT.Brooklyn's own George Wurzbach is an award winning composer, performer and producer. His songs and arrangements have been performed by Johnny Cash, Kathy Mattea, Roy Clark and many others. He is the author of "Country Riffs for Piano," published by Hal Leonard.

Modern Man won Back Stage Magazine’s “Bistro Award” in 2002 for Best Musical Comedy and the 2008 New York Nightlife Award for Best Comedy group in New York. They perform in clubs, cabarets, coffee houses, concert halls and festivals from Maine to Florida plus Tennessee, Texas, Ohio and Canada.

"For a night of great songs, heavenly harmonies, polished musicianship and pure unabashed entertainment, you really want to see this show." - GT

Jimmie Vaughan & The Tilt-A-Whirl Band

Jimmie Vaughan is far more than one of the greatest and most respected guitarists in the world of popular music. As Guitar Player Magazine notes, “He is a virtual deity–a living legend.” His musical ethos and personal style have had an impact on contemporary culture, from spearheading the current blues revival with The Fabulous Thunderbirds to his longtime, innate fashion sense of slicked-back hair and sharp vintage threads, to becoming a premier designer of classic custom cars. But for Jimmie, none of that is part of a crusade or a career plan. It’s just his natural way of living life. At age 15, Vaughan was playing the rough and tumble Dallas nightclub scene nightly. By 16 he joined The Chessman, who became the area’s top musical attraction, eventually opening concerts in Dallas for Jimi Hendrix. He was developing his style; clean, economical and highly articulate; concentrating on rhythmic accents and lead work that relied on his "less is more" approach. In 1969, he helped found "Texas Storm," a group that dug into blues and soul with a Texas accent. The band migrated to Austin, and it was there that Jimmie helped jump start his brother Stevie Ray’s career when the younger Vaughan joined Texas Storm on bass. Determined to create an ideal vehicle for blues that was both modern in impact and appeal yet true to the tradition, Vaughan founded The Fabulous Thunderbirds with Kim Wilson in the mid 1970s. When Antone’s nightclub opened in Austin in 1975, the Thunderbirds became the house band, jamming with such blues greats as Waters, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Albert King and a host of others, all of whom recognized Vaughan as the man who would keep the music they developed alive.Vaughan recorded eight albums with The Thuderbirds and, on the strength of hits like “Tuff Enuff,” earned two Grammy nominations and years of worldwide touring. They brought blues back into the pop charts and the contemporary musical lexicon, sparking a revival that continues today. Prior to leaving the group in 1990, Jimmie had joined up with brother Stevie to record "Family Style," an album that reflected their mutually deep musical roots and modern artistic sophistication. But in August, 1990, just a few weeks prior to the album’s release, Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a helicopter crash in Wisconsin. Jimmie was devastated and retreated from touring and recording, though he continued to play guitar every day. The the success of "Family Style" further enhanced Jimmie’s reputation as a distinctive musical stylist, whose rich-toned exuberance has earned him the respect of many of the greats of contemporary music. He began showing up on albums like B.B. King and Eric Clapton’s "Riding With The King," Bob Dylan’s "Under The Red Sky," Willie Nelson’s "Milk Cow Blues," Carlos Santana’s "Havana Moon" and Don Henley’s "Inside Job."Buddy Guy once said: “He’s unbeatable when it comes to the blues. He just plays it like it’s supposed to be played.” And Stevie Ray, when people would compare his playing to that of his brother, would say there was really no contest. “I play probably 80 percent of what I can play. Jimmie plays one percent of what he knows. He can play anything.” And yet Jimmie Vaughan remains modest when it comes to his life and work. “I’m just trying to have fun like everyone else,” he concludes. “I’ve been playing since I was 13. I play every day. I’ve never stopped. I can’t imagine that I could exist without it.”

sold out

Saturday, March 14, 20158:00 pm

Bull Run RestaurantShirley, MA

The EDGAR WINTER Band

In late 1972 Edgar Winter brought together Dan Hartman, Ronnie Montrose and Chuck Ruff to form The Edgar Winter Group, the legendary band that created the number one "Frankenstein" and the ever popular "Free Ride."Frankenstein revolutionized rock and roll and opened up a whole new world of possibilities with experimentation and sound. In 1973 he released "They Only Come Out at Night" which peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 200 and stayed on the charts for an impressive 80 weeks. It was certified gold in April 1973 and double platinum in November 1986.

Edgar later released "Shock Treatment," featuring guitarist Rick Derringer in place of Ronnie Montrose. Later albums included "Jasmine Nightdreams," "The Edgar Winter Group with Rick Derringer," a live album, "Together Live With Johnny Winter," "Recycled," a reunion with White Trash, "Standing On Rock," "Mission Earth," "Live In Japan," "Not A Kid Anymore," "The Real Deal," and "Winter Blues." His music can be heard in no fewer than fifteen film and television projects, including Netherworld, Air America, My Cousin Vinny, Encino Man, Son In Law, What's Love Got to do With It, Wayne's World 2, Starkid, Wag the Dog, Knockabout Guys, Duets, Radio, The Simpsons, Queer as Folk, and Tupac Resurrection.

But even right out of the gate Edgar was a child prodigy. His early recording of "Tobacco Road" is a powerful, emotionally devastating masterpiece that propelled him into the national spotlight. He followed that with two hit albums backed by his group White Trash, and the 1971 release of, "Edgar Winter's White Trash" and the follow-up live gold album, "Roadwork."

With now over 20 albums and numerous collaborative efforts to his credit, Edgar Winter has not been satisfied to ride the wave of popular music stardom. His live shows consistently receive rave reviews and his live performances continue to thrill audiences, always remaining on the cutting edge of music and style.

Martha Dawson looks upon readings as a tool of self-empowerment. During a session you may meet one of your spirit guides, gain insight into any aspect of your life, understand the opportunities to learn that are set before you, and receive guidance on how to live this adventure called life. Readings are a way to experience the unconditional love of Divine Source and to become aware that we do not walk this journey alone.Ticket includes $20 credit toward meal or drinks.

Ronnie Earl's got it. Whatever it is that makes The Blues dig down into your soul and stir it up. Whatever it is that can hold your attention with six strings and 22 frets and never sound stale or mediocre. Whatever it is that makes you smile in the midst of a very dangerous and heartless world. Whatever it is, he's got it down. Maybe it was his years with Roomful of Blues. Or maybe it was the years touring with his own bands throughout the world that makes him equally conversant with the styles of Robert Jr. Lockwood, T-Bone Walker, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Or maybe it's something that you don't get on the road or alone in a room practicing scales. Maybe it's something you find inside yourself and learn to express on guitar, piano, easel, trowel or skillsaw. Maybe he's one of us and we can feel it when he plays, letting us know that, like us, he's been up, down and everywhere in between. Or maybe he's just one of the finest living Blues guitarists on the planet. If you love the Blues and you haven't been to a Ronnie Earl show, do yourself a favor. Ronnie's new Album, "Good News," is "another exquisite outing" according to Steve Morse of the Boston Globe. Read the full review HERE

OPEN: The L & M RHYTHM KINGS - The L&MRhythmKings perform a blend of rhythm, roots, and blues, featuring full-blooded grooves from the heart and soul of America. The band features a mix of original music and modern interpretations of funk & roots artists like James Brown, the Neville Brothers, and others.

Chef Isaac Carter will prepare a private dinner presentation, paired with local beers from People's Pint Brewery on Wednesday March 25, 2015. Each participant will enjoy an "amuse bouche" and three paired courses, all sourced locally and prepared fresh.

You'll enjoy meeting the team from People's Pint Brewing Co. based in Greenfield, MA. You'll learn all the ins & outs of local craft beer, while enjoying a great meal, lots of beer & new friends. Be ready for a local culinary adventure!

Join psychic, Martha Dawson, for a delicious meal at the Bull Run and discover the psychic within you.

There will be a discussion about how everyone has the ability to communicate with their Higher Self, their guides and Divine Source followed by an opportunity to meet one of your spirit guides and receive a short message.

Livingston Taylor picked up his first guitar at the age of thirteen, beginning a forty-year career that has encompassed performance, songwriting and teaching. Born in Boston and raised in North Carolina, Livingston is the fourth child in a very musical family that includes Alex, James, Kate and Hugh. Livingston recorded his first record at 18 and has continued to create well-crafted, introspective and original songs that have earned him listeners worldwide. From top-forty hits “I Will Be in Love with You” and “I’ll Come Running,” to “I Can Dream of You” and “Boatman” both recorded by his brother James, Livingston’s creative output has continued unabated. His musical knowledge has inspired a varied repertoire, and he is equally at home with a range of musical genres—folk, pop, gospel, jazz—and from upbeat storytelling to touching ballads. Livingston has never stopped performing since those early coffeehouse days, touring with major artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffet and Jethro Tull, and he maintains a busy concert schedule of over eighty shows a year. He is a natural performer, peppering his shows with personal stories, anecdotes and ineffable warmth that connect him to his fans. His relaxed on-stage presence belies the depth of his musical knowledge, and fans might just as often be treated to a classic Gershwin or something from the best of Broadway. As a full professor at Berklee College of Music since 1989, Livingston shares his experiences and knowledge of professional touring with young artists, just beginning to hone their skills. His course, Stage Performance (I and II) is one of the most popular at the College, and it gives him the ideal forum in which to impart the lessons learned through his own career to a new generation of musicians. His book, Stage Performance, is drawn from those classes, and is available now. More info at: www.livtaylor.com/ Watch Liv live on NECN HERE

Open:Yael Deckelbaum: Three songs off her first album were featured on the TV series “The L Word” and two were featured in the movie “Antarctica," in which she was also one of the actors. After her second album “Joy & Sadness," she was invited by Mashina (Israel’s most highly regarded rockband), to join them for a two year tour across Israel & the U.S.

Rust Never Sleeps - A Live Neil Young Retrospective

RUST NEVER SLEEPS is a unique, live rock show that celebrates the music, and musical career of Neil Young. Capturing the spirit, the sound, and the feel of what can best be described as a "dream come true" concert experience; you will hear selections from The Buffalo Springfield as well as Young's early 70's folk-rock gems. You will savor the sweet harmonies of Crosby, Stills, and Nash as well as the raging guitar duels between Stills and Young. You will feel the high voltage snap of Crazy Horse as well as the plaintive beauty of "Heart of Gold".

Based in the Greater Boston area, Rust Never Sleeps pays "tribute" to Neil Young and his music the best way they know how... with integrity. While some groups in the tribute-band genre are content with a note for note replication of the original recordings, a Rust Never Sleeps show is infused with the passion and truth that comes from musicians using their own unique, creative energy to present these great songs.

Calling all FutureStars 2015! Apply now - City Music is accepting applications for our 15th Showcase for musicians 18 years and under, to be held at the Bull Run on Sunday, March 29th, 4-8pm. We welcome ALL genres of music (content of music must be appropriate for all ages).

So, if you and your friends have been looking for a place to play, this is your chance.

Plus, the group with the best ticket sales wins a recording session at The Root Cellar, in Westminster.

And you will be supporting music in our schools! City Music donates the proceeds from this and all FutureStars events to public school music programs – more than $13000 since 2005. The 2015 Showcase will benefit the Leominster Public Schools.

Those of you who were at last year's show know just how much fun this event is.

What are dueling pianos? It is a massive "to the top of your lungs" sing along with all your friends! Two grand pianos are center-stage with a team of outrageously talented pianists that seem to know every song ever written.

Each show is different because it's all request. And you or your friends might get called up onstage for a bit of good humored fun and some unforgettable u-tube moments. These shows are request oriented, interactive sing-a-longs wherein two piano players sit across from each other and trade songs. The dueling piano audience is used for the dueling aspect of the show. Audience members are pitted one-side-against-the-other. Examples of rivalries include country vs. rock, men against women, etc.

People do love to interact and have fun. The piano players act as the "Entertainment Directors," responsible for maintaining enthusiasm and maximizing laughs. Hand-picked from only the finest regional talent, they are experts on keeping audience members involved, happy and singing.

Dueling piano shows often take unexpected turns, like involving wait staff members, changing song lyrics or roasting popular audience members. There aren't many boundaries. It's an all-ages show that is the perfect entertainment anyone who like to have fun; one big sing-along party, swaying to the music and bellowing-out familiar lyrics. You're not just being entertained by the piano players - you are part of the show!

Danny Klein, founding member and the one-and-only Ace On Bass for the mighty J. GEILS BAND, rips through all the J. Geils songs you know and love with his own band of local heroes, DANNY KLEIN'S FULL HOUSE!!! This is where you will hear all the J. Geils Band tunes, played the way they were meant to be played by the guys that know how to keep 'em rockin'. Danny was there at the beginning and he's still keeping the legend alive. You won't even believe how much fun you'll have at this show.

The band features Danny Klein on Bass, Artie Eaton on Lead Vocals, Dave Quintiliani on Keys & Vocals, Jim Taft on Drums & Vocals, Steve Gouette on Guitar & Vocals and Richard "Rosy" Rosenblatt on Harmonica.

DK and the boys can be found at clubs, casinos, festivals, and private parties, rockin' the house to classic tunes like Centerfold, Freeze Frame, Musta Got Lost, Whammer Jammer, First I Look at the Purse... the list goes on and on, and so does the House Party!Not your mama's cover band, for sure.

Darren Bessette is a Nashville recording artist who has had the honor of touring with Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, JoDee Messina, Hank Williams Jr., and many more...

Darren moved to Nashville in late 2005 and made his way up in the ranks in the music business never slowing down. He found himself surrounded by some of Nashvilles finest talent and incredibly, he was being featured on several tours throughout the East Coast and MidWest as well as countless award show events such as the CMT Awards and the CMA's, where he was nominated for his song "Country Philosophy."

Darren's daughter, Grace Mackenzie Bessette entered the world on July 13 2007 and it changed his life forever. He moved back home to raise his daughter. Being on the road was no longer as important as watching Grace grow up.

A brand new album is in the early stages and he still travels back and fourth to Nashville writing with an array of incredibly talented writers, a humbling experience to say the least.His current band is: Darren on guitar & vocals, Elle Wine on vocals, Chad Taylor on bass, Michael Paolucci on guitar and Tim DeLongchamp on drums.

Open: Whitney Doucet -Whitney is a country singer from central Mass who recently she sang for the Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots, at Gillette stadium. Last summer, she sang with country superstar Keith Urban at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield Mass during his "'raise em up' tour."

Pure Prairie League's biggest hits include “Aimee," “Two Lane Highway," "Falling in and out of Love," "Early Morning Riser" and the musically less-representative pop song, “Let Me Love You Tonight.” In the '70s and '80s they rode the same country-tinged rock wave that carried the Eagles, Buffalo Springfield, Poco and The Band to popularity. Vince Gill, later to become one of Nashville’s biggest solo stars, sang and played guitar with the band in the early 1980s and recorded an updated version of “Aimee” for their greatest hits album. Influenced by bluesy drive of the Byrds and the seamless fusing of country and rock first introduced by bands like the Flying Burrito Brothers, PPL benefits from tight slide guitar, dueling solos and plenty of jammy Americana, mixing country rock, southern boogie, bluegrass and blues. Whether they are “Pickin To Beat The Devil” or taking you for a ride down a “Two Lane Highway,” PPL is a sure fire good time.The current long-time lineup is: John David Call (pedal steel, vocal), Mike Reilly (guitar, vocals), Rick Schell (bass) and Scott Thompson (drums).

“PPL does what it's always done: they remain true to themselves, creating a sound that doesn't compromise their vision, yet manages to capture the ears of their adoring faithful "prairiedog" fans, as well as a new legion of listeners. If there is a formula to PPL's longevity and success that may very well be it.” - Country Music Online

This guy's not funny, he's a riot. Celebrating 15 years as a stand-up comic, Bob Marley is one of the hottest and most sought-after comedians in the country. He has been featured in his own special on Comedy Central, and is one of the few comics to do the complete late-night TV circuit: “The Late Show” with David Letterman, “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, “Late Night” with Conan O’Brien and “The Late Late Show” with Craig Ferguson and Craig Kilborn. A regular at the Aspen and Montreal comedy festivals, Marley was named one of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch,” Marley has also appeared in several films, including the cult favorite, “Boondock Saints,” where he played Detective Greenley.

Marley, a Maine native and University of Maine at Farmington graduate, uses biographical and observational material for his high-energy routines. He began his career in his hometown of Portland, and then moved to Boston to gain experience in a city known for spawning comedy all-stars. He works nonstop throughout the country, in such cities as Los Angles, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Boston, New York and Denver. And after living in Los Angles for several years, he, his wife and three children have returned to Maine to live. Watch video clip HERE - More info at: www.bmarley.com

Breaking every cliché associated with the blues while producing some of the most powerful music of the 21st century comes as natural to Albert Cummings as swinging a hammer while constructing one of his award-winning custom built homes. This Massachusetts native learned the requisite three chords on the guitar from his father, but then switched to playing banjo at age 12 and became a fan of bluegrass music. Like everything he tackles, he threw himself headlong into the pursuit, going to festivals and winning several picking contests in high school. Before graduating he heard the early recordings of Stevie Ray Vaughan, however, and was floored by the virtuosity. In 1987 he saw Vaughan perform and he returned to the guitar with a new outlook and resolve. He had another tradition to live up to first, however, and he studied the building trade in order to follow his family into the home building business. Not until he was 27, an age when other musicians were either already established or had long ago put their dream aside for the realities of life, did Albert finally decide to go for it.A year later Double Trouble joined Cummings again as he signed with Blind Pig Records to create "True to Yourself." This time they brought in legendary producer Jim Gaines to control the sessions. The all-original release further showcased Albert’s rapidly developing songwriting chops and deeply emotional vocals as well as stunning guitar pyrotechnics that put the metallurgical properties of his strings to the test. Tours and shows with blues legends B.B. King, Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy and others brought his music to an audience grateful for the opportunity to be rocked hard by a man possessed to play every song like his life depended on it.

Town Meeting

Luke and Russ Condon, founding members of Town Meeting, grew up in Ayer, MA and share a love of listening to and creating great music. They also happen to be brothers. Brendan (Babe) Condon is also a brother and is now a member of the band. He plays a mean harmonica and vocals. Dean Adrien, formerly of Orphan, joined the band in April of 2013. Having played music most of his life with the likes of Jonathan Edwards, Tom Rush and others from the Boston Folk scene, Adrien was already a well accomplished musician when he joined the band. Tim Cackett began playing Bass in High school and was heavily influenced by jazz and funk. After high school he played guitar and toured with various hardcore bands, until he realized he belonged with Town Meeting and now gives the band a bigger and more wholesome TM sound.

Influenced by a wide range of musical acts (Dawes, The Avett Brothers, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) when Dean, Tim and the Condon brothers get together it's nothing short of spectacular. Their songs are original, well written and harmony driven with a real emphasis on musical quality and arrangement. In other words, they don't just write a song, they take some time and craft one.

Since the spring of 2013 when they officially formed, Town Meeting has been playing venues in New England from Harvard Square in Cambridge, MA to colleges in RI and cafes in NH. Whether for a few or for many, when these guys perform, it's always entertaining. (Just ask someone who's seen them!)

Every once in a while, you get a combination of singers, songwriters, musicians who, not only have recognized achievements, but combine their unique talents to present an unforgettable show! And this is definitely one of those shows!

MICHAEL ALLMAN, eldest son of Gregg Allman, American rock/blues, Rock Hall of Famer, who not only sings like his father, but looks like him as well! Michael is an original songwriter but you will also here some of the Allman Brothers greatest hits!

CHARLES NEVILLE, Grammy Award winning legendary Neville Brother, is a vocals, sax, flute man, who has gold/platinum records from six different countries! CHARLES has performed on such popular TV shows as the "The Today Show," "Oprah," Saturday Night Live," "Tonight Show," "Letterman," etc! CHARLES ethereal performances at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival have made him be invited every year to perform there! CHARLES has also performed with Ray Charles, James Brown, Santana, The Grateful Dead, etc!

JEFF PITCHELL, singer/songwriter/guitar player and was invited earlier this year to perform w/ the ALLMAN BROTHERS in NYC to a sold-out Beacon Theater. JEFF blends Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King, Jimi Hendrix experiences with his own soulful, superb vocals. His song "Eye for an Eye" won an International Songwriting Contest and was recently recorded by the legendary John Mayall. Jeff won Best Guitarist in State of CT, and w/Texas Flood Best Band in CT, and this year won Best Blues Show in New England in six state vote! Jeff has performed with BB King, Ted Nugent, Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead, J Geils, etc.

Along with Jeff's backup band, Texas Flood, The ALLMAN, NEVILLE, PITCHELL BAND bring together three phenomenal multi-talented artists, to provide an incredible evening of music!

JOAN OSBORNE: The Love & Hate Tour

Whether you know Joan Osborne for the mega-hit "What if God Was One of Us" or for her fiery cover of "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" from the movie Standing in the Shadows of Motown, it's clear that the singer is no cookie-cutter alt-babe.

This diverse and soulful singer-songwriter earned seven Grammy nods, sang lead with The Grateful Dead, shared stages with such divergent talents as Luciano Pavarotti, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris and Patti Smith, graced the Grand Ole Opry stage and participated in the Lilith Fair. "I just love so many different kinds of music. I know the conventional wisdom about having a career is to define yourself very clearly and just be that one thing really well," Joan says. "But I always felt that I wanted to try everything that I was drawn to. I have been very lucky that I've been welcomed into all these different musical worlds and musical environments."

Osborne's new album, "Love and Hate" is one of her most personally-charged, creatively ambitious efforts to date. “This one feels a little different,” Osborne says of her new release. While she has already earned a reputation as both a commanding, passionate performer and a frank, emotionally evocative songwriter, her soulful songcraft reaches a new level of musical and lyrical resonance on Love and Hate.

Joan will be accompanied by her amazing pianist, Keith Cotton, at this show, so you can expect many familiar favorites along with selections from this wonderful new album.

"There's a substance and depth here that is not easily achieved.. Osborne is getting more interesting with time." - RollingStone.com"4 stars... a triumph of ‘love'... Osborne's back with a sparkling theme album…a fine, and focused, collection of music." - New York Daily News"Her sweet yet husky voice is a wonderfully expressive instrument, bringing emotional honesty, a.k.a. soul, to every performance..." - American Songwriter

In the early Nineties, Van Morrison caught James Hunter at a gig in Wales and subsequently hired him as a backup singer for several years of touring and recording. James appeared on Morrison’s live album, "A Night in San Francisco,", and on the studio set, "Days Like This."“He’s one of the best voices and best kept secrets in British R&B and soul.” - Van Morrison

Onstage, the fifty-one-year-old British singer and songwriter has the energy of a man half his age, or younger. He's a former railroad construction worker with a soulful tenor that recalls a range of R & B giants like Sam Cooke, Ray Charles or Bobby Bland. Hunter leads his band, the James Hunter Six, through strict tempos and lightning-quick switchbacks. He is warm, engaging and likely to be telling a joke while checking with the audience to see if they’re having a good time. Hunter’s tight, taut compositions are rooted in American soul music without being bound to it, while hisirreverence allows him to evade cliché and keep the genre vibrant. “Often, that’s where the soul revivalists fall flat,” Hunter says. “They invest the music with a mystique that it doesn’t warrant, which destroys it. I was playing in a club once and a very earnest young French couple said to me, ‘Do you feel your music is like a religion?’ ‘No,’ I said. ‘I take it seriously.

In 2006, GO Records/Rounder released "People Gonna Talk," the first James Hunter album ever issued in the US. With its affectionate echoes of Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson, the disc became an airplay staple on some of the nation’s most influential radio stations. The Los Angeles Times praised James Hunter’s “extraordi­nary soul voice”; Rolling Stone called his album “a treat not to miss.” By the year’s end, "People Gonna Talk" was among the Top Ten “Best Albums of 2006” as cited by Mojo, USA Today and the WFUV listeners’ poll, to name a few. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Tradi­tional Blues Album and James himself was nominated as Best New/Emerging Artist in the annual Americana Music Awards.

His next album, "The Hard Way" earned even better accolades, with Rolling Stone calling it “unbelievably awesome” and the New York Times praising Hunter’s “tight, slithery groove” and “sweet growl.” The album featured a guest appearance by avowed Hunter fan Allen Toussaint, and like its predecessor reached #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart. Hunter toured extensively behind it, both as a headliner and supporting the likes of Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Willie Nelson, Van Morrison, Chris Isaak, Boz Scaggs and others.

"The new James Hunter Six album, 'Minute by Minute,' on Daptone Records was produced by label co-founder Gabriel Roth, who nails the sound of R&B in its formative years when it was part rock 'n' roll, part jump blues, all swing and swagger. It's a marvelous fit with Hunter's own swoons, croons, screams and rips as he and the group time-warp back to the early days of AM rock radio, minus the static.

Watch "Chicken Switch" from the new album HERE - Watch James with Sharon Jones HERE

Mark Marquis, critically acclaimed guitarist, is one of the finest musicians you will hear anywhere.Along with his band, The Mark Marquis Group, he has been performing his music in concert, clubs, and festivals for the past thirty years, combining a blend of jazz, blues, rock, fusion and world music with a fantastic line up of musicians.

In addition to performing his compositions, Marquis has been known to pull out and place his own spin on music by such artists as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and more. His solo guitar segments are often a highlight of his concerts. But whatever direction he may take, Mark has a way of bringing his own unique style to the tunes being played.

Marquis has written arranged and produced a number of CDs, including, "Above the Clouds," "The Invisible Ray" and "Right Place, Right Time." His annual “Most Peaceful Night of the Year” holiday concerts are some of the most popular and well attended shows in the Worcester County area.Fantastic guitar playing and always a great band: a night of music you don’t want to miss. This is as good as it gets!

Charlie Farren is known for great songs, great singing and outstanding live solo acoustic performances. Alone onstage with acoustic guitar in hand, he captures an audience with his unique delivery, insightful lyrics, memorable songs, soaring vocals and subtle yet innovative guitar style. ?Bursting onto the national scene in the early '80s as lead singer and guitarist with The Joe Perry Project, he established himself as one of the hottest young singers on the Boston music scene, writing the hits "Listen To The Rock," "East Coast, West Coast" and "I've Got The Rock And Rolls Again."?In 1986 Charlie, along with Dave Hull (Joe Perry Project) and John Muzzy, formed Farrenheit and released a self-titled debut album on Warner Brothers. Three singles from that album, "Fool in Love," "Bad Habit," and "Lost in Loveland" and video exposure on MTV, established Farrenheit as one of the premier new rock acts receiving awards, media attention and new fans across the country.?Charlie has since released "World Gone Wild," "Four Letter Word," and "Live at Club Passim" as a solo artist. His new CD, "Tuesday" is his best work to date, featuring a song that was written but never released by longtime friend, the late Brad Delp, powerhouse vocalist for the legendary band Boston.?Charlie Farren continues to be one of America's most original and compelling musical artists. He takes the stage alone, and leaves the stage with a roomful of new believers.?

"Charlie is contagious, displaying a candor rarely demonstrated by former arena rock stars. It's clear he has not lost the ability to captivate a room full of people no matter what the size." - Tom Dempsey, SoundCheck magazine.

Mississippi born Charlie Musselwhite is one of the most revered blues musicians in the world, so casual, soft spoken and friendly in conversation. But unleashed on stage, under the spotlight, in front of a packed crowd, those "entertainer instincts" take over and his whole persona seems to subtlety shift, to take on something deeper, harder, tighter and louder. Hunched over a bit, hands cupped around a harmonica and microphone, he starts blowing like a human blast-furnace, rocking forward and back as he wails, spurred on by the tense grooves of his excellent backing band. The harmonica master, also a respected singer and songwriter in his own right, has won countless awards during his legendary career (see below) and collaborated with innumerable musical giants of the past 50 years including Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Big Joe Williams, Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson, Tom Waits, Eddie Vedder and John Lee Hooker, to name a few.Most of his tunes are uptempo shuffles and boogie grooves, and listening to his harp you can almost imagine how it might have sounded echoing his own loneliness off the backstreet blues clubs of Chicago’s south side. “The blues sounded like how I felt growing up" Charlie says. "Too many people think of the blues as sad, but many of these tunes are fun, dancing tunes that lift your spirits. I often tell people that the blues is your buddy in good times and your comforter in bad times. It empowers you to keep going. It is secular spiritual music, the gospel blues. It’s music from the heart instead of the head.”Born in Mississippi, Musselwhite arrived in Chicago in the early sixties, just in time for the epochal blues revival. In 1966 at the age of 22 he recorded the landmark "Stand Back! Here Comes Charlie Musselwhite’s Southside Band" to rave reviews. Moving to San Francisco in 1967, where his album was being played on underground radio, found him welcomed into the counterculture scene around the Fillmore West as an authentic purveyor of the real deal blues. More than 20 albums later he is at the top of his game, a revered elder statesman of the blues nowhere near ready to hang up his harp belt, his depth of expression as a singer and an instrumentalist unexcelled and only getting deeper.With music as dark as Mississippi mud or as uplifting as the blue skies of California, in an era when the term legendary gets applied to auto-tuned pop stars, this singular blues harp player, singer, songwriter and guitarist has earned and deserves to be honored as a true master of American classic vernacular music.2010 Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, 7-time GRAMMY Nominee, 27-time Blues Music Award Winner, 8-time Living Blues Award Winner, 2013 Living Blues Awards (Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica), 2012 Blues Music Award Winner for Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year and for Best Instrumentalist Harmonica, 2011 GRAMMY Nominee for Best Traditional Blues Album – The Well, 2011 Blues Music Award Winner for Best Instrumentalist – Harmonica and Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year, 2011 Living Blues Awards (Most Outstanding Musician (Harmonica), 2009 Mississippi Blues Trail Marker Honoree, Beale Street Brass Note Walk of Fame Honoree and in 2008 Charlie’s marker was placed outside of BB King‘s Nightclub in Memphis, TN.

Formed in Sleepy Hollow, New York over a decade ago, The Slambovian Circus of Dreams (AKA The Grand Slambovians) pioneered the alt-folk/americana genre, staying on the fringes of the music industry while producing several critically acclaimed studio albums.

To be fully appreciated they must be seen live. Their melodic avant-folk conjures a quirkier Tom Petty or a fuller Buffalo Tom with an exotic instrumental arsenal. And though their studio albums are full of wild brilliance and dynamic hippie soul, you just haven't had the full experience until you've survived the Alice-in-Wonderland, full-frontal assault of a live show. If you like Dylan, Bowie, The Decemberists, you’ll find a lot to love about this band which features an other-worldly slide mandolin, accordion, cello and styles ranging from dusty Americana ballads to Pink Floydesque cinematic anthems. Headlining major music festivals and venues across the U.S., Canada and the UK, they built their career from the ground up with a loyal fan base supporting them all the way….

Fronted by songwriter Joziah Longo (vocals/guitar/harmonica) whose voice is “Soothing and bewitching as a snake oil tonic” says The Big Issue, UK and goes on to say “the entire root system of Rock Family Trees is embedded in his voice.” The band features guitarist/mandolin player Sharkey McEwen (think lovechild of David Gilmour and Duane Allman); multi-instrumentalist Tink Lloyd (accordion, cello, uke, theremin, melodica); and Eric Puente (Percussion.)

"Gandalf Murphy & the SCD is simply one of the finest American bands out there..." - All Music Guide"Casting a wide net, their music energizes anyone who hears it." - Relix Magazine"Mightily impressive and hugely original... 'tis truly an epic soundtrack." - Maverick Magazine, UK"Lively songs that are imbued with mystical stirrings." - New York Times

Soft-spoken in conversation, 19-year-old Jenny Tolman is bold and courageous behind a guitar, able to make sense of life’s challenges by putting them under a verbal microscope. Her voice mixes the smokiness of Shelby Lynne with the accessibility of your next-door neighbor, and her self-written stories ring true for just about anyone who hears them.

"Her songwriting, inspired by real-world issues, is beyond her age." says producer Judy Rodman, an Academy of Country Music award-winner. "So is her motivation."

“My music is very honest,” Tolman says. “My goal is to help other people. If I keep myself hidden, then that’s not really going to help anyone.”

Her song “Damn Cigarettes” placed second in the country category in the Unsigned Only songwriting competition, which features such notable judges as Rosanne Cash, Dustin Lynch and Craig Morgan.

With every record he makes, Ari Hest says his music is progressively more reflective of who he is. At 34, the Bronx-based singer/songwriter's musicianship has evolved from writing songs on imagery to real-life experiences coming from an honest, intense place. On his upcoming June 8th release 'Shouts and Whispers', Hest creates a non-typical collection of tracks that ultimately form a cohesive narrative. With songs of sadness and resignation giving way to lucidity and catharsis, Hest's introspection and intelligence are on display, creating moments of magic within his poetic, spare lyrics and backing them up with his ear for haunting melodies. Hest conceived half the album as an acoustic set, while the other half took shape via keyboards, as he explains below. 'Shouts and Whispers' begins with the swirling, hypnotic 'Harvest', soon followed by a centerpiece track, the stunning, understated 'Into the Empty White'. 'How We'll Always Be' is perhaps a declaration of giving up the fight, and the melancholy 'No One Can Stay' has an elegant darkness. There's a glimmer of hope within 'Bona Fide', and finally a cathartic yowl as 'After The Thunder' builds to its crescendo.

Hest has released seven albums, three EPs, and "52" in 2008, an innovative project whereby he wrote, recorded and released a new song every Monday for a full year. In addition, Hest is half of the folk pop duo The Open Sea, along with longtime friend Rosi Golan.

His music has been featured on numerous television shows including Private Practice, Army Wives, and One Tree Hill. Recently, Ari's song "The Landlord" appeared in an episode of NPR's "All Things Considered". He's also scored a film called 'Dreamriders,' which won several independent film awards. And throughout his career, he has toured worldwide to support his records, most recently in Germany as well as several European countries, and built the kind of loyal fan base any musician would envy. While "Shouts and Whispers" is an excellent indication of what Hest is capable of, his live show may leave even more of an impression. Watching him play, one can't help but be thrust into his world, hanging on every word like a child listening to a ghost story.

The songs of John Sebastian have become a permanent part of our American musical fabric. His group The Lovin' Spoonful played a major role in the mid-'60s rock revolution... You know the songs by heart: "Do You Believe In Magic?" "You Didn't Have To Be So Nice." "Daydream." "Younger Girl." "Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?" "Summer In The City." "Rain On The Roof." "Nashville Cats." "Six O'Clock." "Darling Be Home Soon." "Younger Generation."

The Lovin' Spoonful was not his first act, and it certainly wasn't its last. After leaving the Spoonful, he moved into a solo career with performances at Woodstock and its English equivalent the Isle of Wight Festivals. And, of course, "Welcome Back Kotter". Throughout the '70s and '80s he continued to record and tour, pleasing old fans and winning new ones. The '90s also saw John return to the group format with the J-Band, a contemporary celebration of his jug band heritage. And his induction into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 hasn't slowed him down a bit. John is still out there spreading his gospel of American roots music. Perhaps because it has been the product of heart and soul and history, the oldest song in the Sebastian catalog is as fresh and vital as the song he's about to write tomorrow. That's why you still hear his music everywhere - in movies, on television, in cover versions and samples - and why it's always welcome. Listen

Special Guests: Paul Rishell & Annie Raines - Paul Rishell and Annie Raines' masterful performances have won them fans around the globe. They have released four albums, including the W.C. Handy Award winner for Acoustic Blues Album of the Year, Moving to the Country. Paul and Annie will do an opening set and also accompany John during his set.

5-9-2015(Ballroom)Over the past 20 years, Peter Mulvey has pursued a restless, eclectic path as a writer and musician - immersing himself in Tin PanAlley jazz, modern acoustic, poetry, narrative and Americana stylings. Relentlessly touring as a headliner – his attitude is, “When you love what you do, you can work all the time,” – he has also shared the stage with luminaries such as Emmylou Harris, Richard Thompson, Ani diFranco, Indigo Girls, and Greg Brown, and has attracted an audience that stretches from Anchorage to Amsterdam.

Peter is touring in support of his new CD, "Siver Ladder," which is an artistic rebirth for Mulvey, the work of an artist who has discovered his inner rock-and-roller, a man who has been through the eye of the needle and come through it with a haul of songs to spark and encourage his fellow humans.

Mulvey draws on an extremely broad swath of influence; he is always reading, listening, and eager to hear new poetry, modern minimalist composers, old-time fiddle tunes, Argentinean trip-hop, or top-shelf bar bands.

“Peter Mulvey is consistently the most original and dynamic of the US singer-songwriters to tour these shores. A phenomenal performer with huge energy, a quick fire, quirky take on life, and an extraordinary guitar style. A joy to see.”-The Irish Times

“Gleefully mercurial...equal parts breezy jazz and whispery folk. His voice feels like fine old leather, and his guitar sounds like it’s on steroids...a superb technician with a fondness for ignoring the rules...a genre-defying traditionalist — a knuckleballer with finger-picks” - The Boston Globe

In a career that has already spanned a half-century, Jorma Kaukonen has been one of the most highly respected interpreters of American roots music, blues, and Americana, and at the forefront of popular rock-and-roll. A member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy nominee, he is a founding member of two legendary bands, Jefferson Airplane and the still-touring Hot Tuna. Jorma Kaukonen’s repertoire goes far beyond his involvement creating psychedelic rock; he is a music legend and one of the finest singer-songwriters in music.Jorma currently, as he has for many years, tours the world bringing his unique styling to old blues tunes while presenting new songs of weight and dimension. Jorma is releasing his next solo album, "Ain’t In No Hurry," early in 2015 on Red House Records.Jorma Kaukonen, Jr. was born and raised in the Washington D.C. area. He was a devotee of rock-and-roll in the Buddy Holly era but soon developed a love for the blues and bluegrass that were profuse in the clubs and concerts in the nation’s capitol. While learning guitar he met Jack Casady, the younger brother of a friend and a guitar player in his own right. And though they could not have known it, they were beginning a musical partnership that has continued for over 50 years.Jorma moved to California, where he returned to classes at Santa Clara University and earned money by teaching guitar. It was at this time, that he met Paul Kantner and was asked to join a new band. Although Jorma’s true passion was roots music, he decided to join. That band was the Jefferson Airplane. Jorma invited his old musical partner Jack Casady to come out to San Francisco and play electric bass for Jefferson Airplane, and together they created much of Jefferson Airplane’s signature sound. A pioneer of counterculture-era psychedelic rock, the group was the first band from the San Francisco scene to achieve international mainstream success. They performed at the three most famous American rock festivals of the 1960s—Monterey (1967), Woodstock(1969) and Altamont (1969)—as well as headlining the first Isle of Wight Festival (1968). Their 1967 record "Surrealistic Pillow" is regarded as one of the key recordings of the "Summer of Love". Two hits from that album, "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit", are listed in Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".Jorma and Jack would jam whenever they could and would sometimes perform sets within sets at Airplane concerts. The two would often play clubs following Airplane performances. Making a name for themselves as a duo, they struck a record deal, and Hot Tuna was born. Jorma left Jefferson Airplane after the band’s most productive five years, pursuing his full-time job with Hot Tuna.Over the next three and a half decades Hot Tuna would perform thousands of concerts and release more than two-dozen records. The musicians who performed with them were many and widely varied, as were their styles—from acoustic to long and loud electric jams but never straying far from their musical roots. What is remarkable is that they have never coasted. Hot Tuna today sounds better than ever.In addition to his work with Hot Tuna, Jorma has recorded more than a dozen solo albums on major labels beginning with 1974’s "Quah" and continuing with his recent acoustic releases on Red House Records—2007’s "Stars in My Crown" and "River of Time," produced by Larry Campbell and featuring Levon Helm.As the leading practitioner and teacher of fingerstyle guitar, Jorma and his wife Vanessa Lillian operate one of the world’s most unique centers for the study of guitar and other instruments. Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace RanchGuitar Camp is located on 125 acres of fields, woods, hills, and streams in the Appalachian foothills of Southeastern Ohio. Since it opened in 1998, thousands of musicians whose skills range from basic to highly accomplished gather for weekends of master instruction offered by Jorma and other instructors who are leaders in their musical fields.Jorma Kaukonen is constantly looking to take his musical horizons further still, always moving forward and he is quick to say that teaching is among the most rewarding aspects of his career. “You just can’t go backward. The arrow of time only goes in one direction.”VIDEO

Roberto Morbioli plays the Blues. He can breathe fire from his ax like a young Clapton or Stevie Ray. Crowded, noisy bars hush a bit when he steps up and folks look around to see who this is making such a holy wail.

Roberto was born in Verona, Italy and picked up the guitar when he was very young. He has played at some of the biggest European festivals like: Amsterdam Blues Festival, New Orleans Music Festival in Ascona and Sanremo Blues Festival. He has performed in the USA at B.B. King’s Blues club in Memphis, and “Antone’s” in Austin, Texas. In 1991 he founded his own band MORBLUS (more blues) which brought him critical recognition and awards.

His personality and unique playing style shine through all his interpretations so much that, even while recalling the styles of blues greats such as Freddy King, Albert King, B.B. King, Albert Collins, T. Bone Walker, Steve Ray Vaughn and Eric Clapton, you see and hear that every note coming out ot this Italian bluesman is coming straight from his big heart. And it's so infectious that you're caught up in it before you realize what's happening. Morbioli’s guitar playing is nothing short of magic, and as a singer, his powerful voice recalls Sam Cook, O.V. Wright, Little Milton, Otis Redding, Robert Cray and Donny Hathaway. You don't even think about it, you just know that the blues flow so naturally for Roberto Morbioli, and his guitar playing and vocals are so polished, he sounds as if he grew up closer to Chicago than Verona, Italy

5-16-2015 (Ballroom)Chris McDermott - Guitarist, composer, singer, producer of fine recordings and Viking oarsman, Chris has released 5 albums and produced and played on many more. A former staff writer for Warner/Chappel publishing and part-time instructor at Berklee College of Music (guitar theory), he has also toured as sideman to blues greats Eddie Kirkland, Carrie Bell, Nappy Brown, Zorah Young, Marva Wright, Toni Lynn Washington and many more. As band leader, he's played extensively all over the globe for the past 25 yrs. His last release "radio ghosts" is still receiving airplay on over two hundred stations across the U.S.A. Look for Chris on most internet radio stations, iTunes, and CDBaby.His current shows feature more acoustic style guitar, showcasing his talent for masterful composition, guitar technique and a rhythmic wild ride.“The sheer versatility in outrageous aggressive accoustic guitar, left field electric blues and a great songwriter to boot!" - Acoustic Fingerstyle Magazine

Coretta Sellars hails from the small town of Lunenburg, MA, contributing her neutral sound and passionate lyrics to the musical blends of Country, Blues, and Folk/Rock stylings. Having already recorded five albums between 1996 and present day, Sellars has created a prolific catalogue of songs that have become popular and personal amongst her fellow listeners and fan base. Sellars recently formed the duo VanRet with friend and musician Krista Van Guilder. The duo performs a wide range of cover songs, and originals as well. VanRet is a show not to miss! Rockin' two long sets, bringing soul, intensity and conviction.

Krista Van Guilder, originally from Shirley, is a singer/guitarist/songwriter currently living in Worcester, MA. She has spent the last 15 years fronting heavy metal bands playing in the New England area. Balancing her love for heavy metal and acoustic rock, Krista brings attitude and passion to her acoustic performances. Her setlist includes a mix of popular songs from varying time periods and genres but with a twist and originals crafted with passion and experience. In recent years she has reunited with her former highschool classmate Coretta Sellars to form VanRet.

Opener: The Coretta Sellars Band - The band is back! Performing all new originals with members KJ Duval, Derrick Butler, and Tim Kelly (Tastes Like Chicken Band) This is a show not to be missed!!

For The Outlaws, it was always about the music. For 40 years, the Southern Rock legends celebrated triumphs, endured tragedies and survived legal nightmares to remain one of the most influential and best-loved bands of the genre. Now they return with new music, new focus and an uncompromising new mission: It’s about a band of brothers bound together by history, harmony and the road. It’s about a group that respects its own legacy while refusing to be defined by its past. But most of all, it’s about pride.

"It’s About Pride" is the new album from The Outlaws, a record 4 years in the making and perhaps 20 or more in the waiting. And for original Outlaws singer/songwriter/guitarist Henry Paul, it’s a hard-fought revival whose success can be measured in old fans and new music. “Because The Outlaws have been out of the public eye for so long, it’s almost like starting over,” he explains. “But because of the band’s history, we’re seeing this as a new chapter. We’ve written and recorded this album on our own terms, and we’re out to make a significant impression. What our fans loved then they still love now, but most of all, they recognize the heart & soul of what it is we still do.” For co-founding drummer/songwriter Monte Yoho, the journey is both bittersweet and jubilant. “I still think about the friends we made when we first came into this industry, how we struggled to define this thing that became known as ‘Southern Rock’,” Yoho says. “This new album embodies all the things we shared musically and personally, as well as the relationships we have with our fans to this day. It’s about where we’ve been, where we’re going, and why we still love to do this.”

Formed in Tampa in 1972, The Outlaws – known for their triple-guitar rock attack and three-part country harmonies – became one of the first acts signed by Clive Davis (at the urging of Ronnie Van Zant) to his then-fledgling Arista Records. The band’s first three albums "The Outlaws," "Lady In Waiting" and "Hurry Sundown" – featuring such rock radio favorites as “There Goes Another Love Song”, “Green Grass & High Tides”, “Knoxville Girl” and “Freeborn Man” – would become worldwide gold and platinum landmarks of the Southern Rock era. Known as ‘The Florida Guitar Army’ by their fans, The Outlaws earned a formidable reputation as an incendiary live act touring with friends The Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Marshall Tucker Band and The Charlie Daniels Band as well as The Doobie Brothers, The Who, Eagles and The Rolling Stones.

For Henry Paul, Monte Yoho, Billy Crain, Chris Anderson, Dave Robbins and Randy Threet it’s about a band of brothers who love playing their own style of rock, and who 40 years ago first got the chance to take it from Florida to the world.

If you saw this sold-out show last year, you already know what an incredible guitarist/performer Quinn Sullivan is. Forget about the fact that he's fifteen year's old, he's simply amazing.Watch the piece that "Chronicle" did on him last year HERE

Seven years ago multi-Grammy™ winning blues guitarist Buddy Guy had a remarkable encounter when eight-year-old guitarist Quinn Sullivanjoined him on stage. Guy was so taken with his incredible guitar skills that he invited him to play on his Grammy™ nominated album “Skin Deep” (that also included guest performances from Eric Clapton, Robert Randolph, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi) and tour with him nationally. Quinn's blistering solo on the record was the aptly titled ”Whose Gonna Fill Those Shoes?”He was soon being invited to perform at festivals, TV and radio programs. So far, he has appeared Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Ellen, Oprah and The Today Show and was featured in Guitar Player and Guitar World magazines. He has been actively building his craft sharing stages nationally with Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang and BB King at iconic venues including the Hollywood Bowl, the Apollo Theater and the Beacon. Quinn received a major honor being the youngest artist to play the world renowned Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and will be performing at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival at Madison Square Garden in April, along with an all-star lineup.

Now fifteen, Sullivan has an album on SuperStar records, "Getting There." Produced and co-written with Grammy, ASCAP and BMI award winner, Tom Hambridge (Buddy Guy, Susan Tedeschi, BB King), the album will appeal to hard-core blues fans and rock aficionados and to fans craving authentic, guitar driven, grooves and melodies. Quinn, as it happens, is as adept at vocals as he is at making his beloved Stratocaster sing.John Heithaus of SuperStar Records, said: “Triple threat artists like Quinn are truly rare. He is a prime example of today’s new breed of songwriters, musicians and performers and we have high aspirations for him!” Legendary jazz guitarist John McLaughlin said: “He’s unbelievable … and he plays just like Jimi (Hendrix)!” Buddy Guy says: “You don’t come across talent like this every day. People called Ray Charles a genius? I think you’ve got another one here.”

Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter Lisa Loeb started her career with the platinum-selling Number 1 hit song “Stay (I Missed You)” from the film Reality Bites. To this day, she is still the only artist to have a Number 1 single while not signed to a recording contract. And 20 Years after she struck gold with “Stay” the song still remains relevant in pop culture, appearing prominently in TV shows like the hit series, “Orange is the New Black,” “Workaholics,” and “The New Girl” with Zooey Deschanel. The story of Loeb’s early success is well known. A native of Dallas, Texas, Loeb earned her degree in comparative literature from Brown University, where she experienced her first taste of real musical success with the duo, Liz and Lisa. The pair built a substantial following on campus and often booked shows in New York on the weekends. Fellow singer/songwriter Duncan Sheik also played in the band during Lisa’s final year of college. When Loeb moved to NYC after graduation, she continued to develop her vision, this time as a solo artist, and hone her artistic talents while carefully managing the business side of her career. This led to Reality Bites and “Stay” in 1994, and the rest, as we say, is history.Today, Loeb continues to grow as an artist and to push herself and her career forward with a creative zeal and an inner drive not often seen. While becoming a mom of two, she is also in the process of releasing a new eyewear line, in partnership with Classique Eyewear, Lisa Loeb Eyewear; her second children’s book “Lisa Loeb’s Songs for Moving and Shaking” out April 2, 2013; and another adult studio album, "No Fairy Tale," out February 5, 2013. Forever the fearless performer, Lisa Loeb is constantly exploring her creativity and telling original stories; whether by writing a book, producing a TV show, or continuing to develop her acting career.

If you haven't heard of him yet, you will soon. Believe me, this one is going up.

Selwyn Birchwood, Florida’s rising young blues fireball, is a guitar and lap-steel-playing bundle of pure energy. He delivers his original songs with a revival tent preacher’s fervor and a natural storyteller’s charisma made all the more impactful by his raw, unvarnished vocals. Birchwood plays high-octane blues – at once deeply rooted, funky and up-to-the-minute – with true passion and honest emotion. With his band feeding off his drive and exuberance, the striking 6’3” 29-year-old with his trademark Afro roams the stage (often barefoot), ripping out memorable guitar licks with ease. His ability to win over an audience, any audience, is proven night after night on the bandstand.

In 2013, Birchwood catapulted from local hero to shooting star. He won the world-renowned International Blues Challenge, beating out 125 other bands from the U.S. and abroad. He also took home the Albert King Guitarist Of The Year Award. Living Blues says, "Selwyn Birchwood is making waves, surprising people and defying expectations."

His debut album, "Don’t Call No Ambulance," is a fully realized vision of contemporary blues. Birchwood’s original songs range from raucous romps to hill country stomps, from searing, serious slow blues to modern blues rock. Between his uninhibited sense of fun and adventure and his serious-as-a-heart-attack musicianship, "Don’t Call No Ambulance" is a window into the future of the blues. “All originals and no filler,” he says of the album. “It’s that genuineness of emotion in the songs that people can hear.”

Louisiana born Tony Joe White, or The Swamp Fox as he's aptly called, is an American Original; a national musical treasure; the real deal - really. White is best known for 1969’s “Polk Salad Annie” and for "Rainy Night in Georgia," which he wrote but was first made popular by Brook Benton. He also wrote "Steamy Windows" and "Undercover Agent for the Blues" both big hits for Tina Turner in 1989; those two songs came by way of Turner's producer at the time, Mark Knopfler, who is a friend of White. Dusty Springfield had a hit with “Willie and Laura Mae Jones” and Elvis Presley brought “For Ol’ Times Sake” and “I’ve Got a Thing About You Baby” to the charts.

But White has always been a singular performer in his own right; the honeyed burr of his baritone, his alternately tough and tender vocal delivery and liberal use of his “whomper stomper” wah-wah pedal lend him a completely distinctive sound. Simply put, nobody, but nobody, sounds like Tony Joe White. He's got the down-home swampy bayou thing down, not because he studied it, but because it's who he is - it's in his blood.Some of his songs, like “They Caught the Devil and Put Him in Jail in Eudora, Arkansas” and “My Kind of Woman” could blow the doors off any roadhouse south of the Mason-Dixon line. While his ballads, like "Louisiana Rain" will show you where Blues came from and still lives….. He has worked with all the greats in the business, including the legendary team of Jerry Wexler and Tom Dowd with the mighty Muscle Shoals sessioneers in support. But despite his illustrious past, he feels no pressure to top himself. “Maybe I’ll stop playing shows and making records when the songs quit coming to me" he says. "But they still come to me…"

Tony Joe recently made a guest appearance with the Foo Fighters on Letterman for the performance of “Polk Salad Annie.” Watch the video HEREAlso catch the Foo Fighters HBO series "Sonic Highways" Nashville episode featuring Tony Joe White, which aired Friday, Oct. 31.His new album, "Rattlesnakes & Cookies" was just released on December 10, 2014 and he'll be signing copies at the show.More great videos: Hoodoo Now - Swamp Rap - Lake Placid Blues

Robbie Fulks is one of the best songwriters this country has to offer, period. Redd Volkaert is among the top Telecaster guitar-slingers you will find anywhere. To have them both together on one stage is a monumental event.

Robbie Fuchs plays by nobody's rules, except the ones he hears in his head. He is prodigiously talented, with the soul of a country singer and the mind of a vaudevillian. Widely regarded as one of the most gifted songwriters to ever ply the trade, he can sing the kids ditty "Eggs" and Haggard's "Sing a Sad Song" back to back and mean 'em both. While it is true he started off a honky tonk smartass, it quickly became evident that Robbie was a monster talent and some of his early Bloodshot albums have been rightly elevated to the status of "classic" and serve as their own Greatest Hits collections. It is a damn shame that he has not been elevated to the ranks of the multi-faceted giants of songwriting like Nick Lowe, Dave Alvin and Harlan Howard. And on top of all that, he is also one of the best guitarists around, whipping out in honky-tonk, country, bluegrass, power pop or whatever he's feeling at the time.

Redd Volkaert was a guitarist in Merle Haggard's backing band. He also fronted the superstar hillbilly band the "Twangbangers" with Bill Kirchen and Dallas Wayne. In 2009 he won a Grammy for "Best Country Instrumental Performance." If you were a Danny Gatton fan, you will absolutely love Redd. He won the "Best Electric guitarist in Austin" award two years in a row. Redd is all over his Telecaster like grease on a pork chop, quoting jazz, country, blues and Western swing as effortlessly as turning on the lights in the living room.

Three-time Grammy winner Delbert McClinton is a legend among Texas Blues/Roots music aficionados, not only for his amazing longevity, but for his ability to combine country, blues, soul, and rock & roll as if there were no distinctions between any of them in the best time-honored Texas tradition. A formidable harmonica player long before he recorded as a singer, McClinton's career began in the late '50s, when he played harmonica on "Hey Baby" a #1 hit by fellow Texan Bruce Channel, yet it took him nearly two decades to evolve into a bona fide solo artist. A critics' darling and favorite of his peers, McClinton has won three Grammy awards to date - one for a duet with Bonnie Raitt (Good Man, Good Woman), and two for the albums, "Nothing Personal" and "Cost of Living."

But he began his career dodging flying bottles and whipping through greasy versions of “Watermelon Man” and “Tequila” behind the strippers on the Jacksboro Highway, the infamous Fort Worth honky-tonk row. And during his 40-plus years he has flirted with bankruptcy, burnout and all the standard issues of substance abuse and familial chaos that come along with a career at the ragged edges of a lifelong road trip. These days Delbert finds himself in the strangest place of all - the mainstream - with respectability, acclaim and even, as one of his CDs was called “Room to Breathe.”

Delbert McClinton is now becoming a household name. And as Willie Nelson said: “It's about time. Delbert's stuck to his guns, he's been so good for a really long time, and he's as good as anyone.”